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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. A portable communication and audio system comprising:
(a) a radio telephone for receiving a first audio signal and transmitting a
corresponding first radio signal through a transmitter to another location
and for receiving a second radio signal through a receiver and converting
it to a second audio signal;
(b) an audio device providing a third stereophonic audio signal;
(c) a microphone receptive of said first audio signal and being enabled
through a conductive path that includes a link for said microphone;
(d) a headset with first and second speakers for selectively listening to
said second audio signal through said second speaker when conduction
through said link for said microphone is enabled, or said third
stereophonic audio signal through said first and second speakers when a
required conductive link for said second speaker is enabled;
(e) a user-operated switch having at least two states including a first
state for enabling conduction through said conductive link for said second
speaker and a second state for enabling conduction through said link for
said microphone;
(f) a state-indicating means for detecting the state of said user-operated
switch; and
(g) a control means, responsive to said state-indicating means for
connecting said first and second speakers to receive said third
stereophonic audio signal when said user-operated switch is in said first
state, and for enabling telephone usage by connecting said microphone to
said transmitter and connecting said second speaker to said receiver when
said user-operated switch is in said second state.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a pivotable boom depending
from said headset; said microphone being located on said boom; said boom
having a mouth position when said microphone is located to receive said
first audio signal from a user's mouth and an off-mouth position when said
microphone is located elsewhere; a user adjusting position of said boom
for manipulating said user-operated switch.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein said state-indicating means comprises
detection means to automatically detect a voltage or current change
associated with a change of states of said user-operated switch.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein said state-indicating means includes a
frequency-dependent impedance coupled to said first speaker for enabling
the coupled combination of said first speaker and impedance to have a
discernibly different impedance than said microphone at a predetermined
frequency, so as to facilitate operation of said detection means.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein said frequency-dependent impedance
comprises a capacitor in series with said first speaker.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein said radio telephone is a cellular
telephones.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein said radio telephone is a digital
cellular telephone.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein said audio device is a digital radio
capable of receiving digital audio broadcasting and converting it to said
third audio signal.
9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a synthesizer for receiving a
signal representing alpha-numeric information from said radio telephone or
said audio device and converting said signal to an audible sound signal.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein:
(a) said audio device is a radio having a signal with radiotexts; and
(b) said alpha-numeric information comprises said radiotexts.
11. The system of claim 8, wherein said audio device is a digital satellite
broadcast receiver.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein said audio device is an information
storage device.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein said radio telephone and said audio
device both share said receiver of said radio telephone for producing said
second and third audio signals.
14. The system of claim 1, wherein said microphone is located in a cord
between said headset and said radio telephone.
15. The system of claim 1, wherein said user operated switch is located in
a cord between said headset and said radio telephone.
16. The system of claim 9, wherein:
(a) said audio device is an information storage device having a signal with
radiotexts; and
(b) said alpha-numeric information comprises said radiotexts.
17. The system of claim 1, further providing automatic telephone answering
while listening to an audio signal from said audio device through said
second speaker when said user-operated switch is in said second state,
wherein said control means includes means for automatically squelching
said last-mentioned audio signal and initiating a telephone call when a
telephone ring alert signal occurs.
18. The system of claim 17, further comprising means for routing a
telephone ring signal through said second speaker to alert user of an
incoming call before automatically answering the telephone call.
19. The system of claim 1, wherein said control means operates to
selectively enable telephone usage or to connect said first and second
speakers to receive said third audio signal independently of any control
signal from said audio device.
20. A portable communication and audio system comprising:
(a) a radio telephone for receiving a first audio signal and transmitting a
corresponding first radio signal through a transmitter to another location
and for receiving a second radio signal through a receiver and converting
it to a second audio signal; said radio telephone including;
(i) a handset microphone;
(ii) a handset speaker;
(iii) an input means for connection to an audio device for providing a
third stereophonic audio signal; and
(iv) an input means for connection to a headset;
(b) an audio device providing a third stereophonic audio signal:
(c) a microphone receptive of said first audio signal and being enabled
through a conductive path that includes a link for said microphone
(d) a headset with first and second speakers for selectively listening to
said second audio signal through said second speaker when conduction
through said link for said microphone is enabled or said third
stereophonic audio signal through said first and second speakers when a
required conductive link for said second speaker is enabled;
(e) a user-operated switch operative when said headset is connected to said
radio telephone and having at least two states including a first state for
enabling conduction through said conductive link for said second sneaker
and a second state for enabling conduction through said link for said
microphone;
(f) a state-indicating means operative when said headset is connected to
said radiontelephone for detecting the state of said user-operated switch;
(g) a control means, responsive to said state-indicating means and
operative when said headset is connected to said radio telephone, for
connecting said first and second speakers to receive said third
stereophonic audio signal when said user-operated switch is in said first
state, and for enabling telephone usage by connecting said microphone to
said transmitter and connecting said second speaker to said receiver when
said user-operated switch is in said second state: and
(h) a handset control means for connecting said handset microphone to said
transmitter and said transmitter and said handset speaker to said receiver
in response to a headset-to-handset switchover signal.
21. The system of claim 20, further comprising a pivotable boom depending
from said headset; said microphone being located on said boom; said boom
having a mouth position when said microphone is located to receive said
first audio signal from a user's mouth and an off-mouth position when said
microphone is located elsewhere; a user adjusting position of said boom
for manipulating said user-operated switch.
22. The system of claim 20, wherein said state-indicating means comprises
detection means to automatically detect a voltage or current change
associated with a change of states of said user-operated switch.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein said state-indicating means includes a
frequency-dependent impedance coupled to said first speaker for enabling
the coupled combination of said first speaker and impedance to have a
discernibly different impedance than said microphone at a predetermined
frequency, so as to facilitate operation of said detection means.
24. The system of claim 23, wherein said frequency-dependent impedance
comprises a capacitor in series with said first speaker.
25. The system of claim 20, wherein said radio telephone is a cellular
telephone.
26. The system of claim 20, wherein said radio telephone is a digital
cellular telephone.
27. The system of claim 20, wherein said audio device is a digital radio
capable of receiving digital audio broadcasting and converting it to said
third audio signal.
28. The system of claim 20, further comprising a synthesizer for receiving
a signal representing alpha-numeric information from said radio telephone
or said audio device and converting said signal to an audible sound
signal.
29. The system of claim 28, wherein:
(a) said audio device is a radio having a signal with radiotexts; and
(b) said alpha-numeric information comprises said radiotexts.
30. The system of claim 20, further comprising means for generating said
headset-to-handset switchover signal automatically when said headset is
disconnected from said radio telephone.
31. The system of claim 27, wherein said audio device is a digital
satellite broadcast receiver.
32. The system of claim 20, wherein said audio device is a information
storage device.
33. The system of claim 20, wherein said microphone is located in a cord
between said headset and said radio telephone.
34. The system of claim 20, wherein said user operated switch is located in
a cord between said headset and said radio telephone.
35. The system of claim 28, wherein:
(a) said audio device is a information storage device having a signal with
radiotexts; and
(b) said alpha-numeric information comprises said radiotexts.
36. The system of claim 28, further providing automatic telephone answering
while listening to an audio signal from said audio device through said
second speaker when said user-operated switch is in said second state,
wherein said control means includes means for automatically squelching
said last-mentioned audio signal and initiating a telephone call when a
telephone ring alert signal occurs.
37. The system of claim 36, further comprising means for routing a
telephone ring signal through said second speaker to alert user of an
incoming call before automatically answering the telephone call.
38. A portable communication and audio system comprising:
(a) a radio telephone for receiving a first audio signal and transmitting a
corresponding first radio signal through a transmitter to another location
and for receiving a second radio signal through a receiver and converting
it to a second audio signal;
(b) an audio device providing a third stereophonic audio signal;
(c) a microphone receptive of said first audio signal and being enabled
through a conductive path that includes a link for said microphone;
(d) a headset with first and second speakers for selectively listening to
said second audio signal through said second speaker when conduction
through said link for said microphone is enabled or said third
stereophonic audio signal through said first and second speakers when a
required conductive link for said second speaker is enabled;
(e) a user-operated switch having at least two states including a first
state for enabling conduction through said conductive link for said second
speaker and a second state for enabling conduction through said link for
said microphone;
(f) a state-indicating means for detecting the state of said user-operated
switch; and
(g) a control means, responsive to said state-indicating means, for
connecting said first and second speakers to receive said third
stereophonic audio signal when said user-operated switch is in said first
state, and for enabling telephone usage by connecting said microphone to
said transmitter and connecting said second speaker to said receiver when
said user-operated switch is in said second state;
(h) a user-operated momentary switch; and
(i) a second control means, responsive to the state of said momentary
switch, for implementing a control function for a selected one of at least
said radio telephone and said audio device; said control means outputting
a tone to a speaker each time the momentary switch is activated.
39. The system of claim 41, wherein said second control means provides
different control functions depending on a pattern of a plurality of
sequential activations of said momentary switch each for a duration of at
least a predetermined period of time.
40. The system of claim 39, wherein said pattern differentiates between
activation of said momentary second switch below, and at least as long as,
a second predetermined period of time.
41. The system of claim 38, wherein said second control means is effective
to implement respective control functions of said radio telephone or said
audio device depending on the state of said first-mentioned user-operated
switch and the current operating mode of said radio telephone or said
audio device.
42. The system of claim 38, further comprising a pivotable boom depending
from said headset; said microphone being located on said boom; said boom
having a mouth position when said microphone is located to receive said
first audio signal from a user's mouth and an off-mouth position when said
microphone is located elsewhere; a user adjusting position of said boom
for manipulating said user-operated switch.
43. The system of claim 38, wherein said state-indicating means comprises
detection means to automatically detect a voltage or current change
associated with a change of states of said user-operated switch.
44. The system of claim 43, wherein said state-indicating means includes a
frequency-dependent impedance coupled to said first speaker for enabling
the coupled combination of said first speaker and impedance to have a
discernibly different impedance than said microphone at a predetermined
frequency, so as to facilitate operation of said detection means.
45. The system of claim 44, wherein said frequency-dependent impedance
comprises a capacitor in series with said first speaker.
46. The system of claim 38, wherein said radio telephone is a cellular
telephone.
47. The system of claim 38, wherein said radio telephone is a digital
cellular telephone.
48. The system of claim 38, wherein said audio device is a digital radio
capable of receiving digital audio broadcasting and converting it to said
third audio signal.
49. The system of claim 38, further comprising a synthesizer for receiving
a signal representing alpha-numeric information from said radio telephone
or said audio device and converting said signal to an audible sound
signal.
50. The system of claim 49, wherein:
(a) said audio device is a radio having a signal with radiotexts; and
(b) said alpha-numeric information comprises said radiotexts.
51. The system of claim 38, further comprising:
(a) a voice command detect circuit coupled to said microphone for receiving
spoken commands from a user for a selectable one of said radio telephone
and said audio device; and
(b) means, responsive to said voice command detect circuit, for recognizing
a plurality of said spoken commands and responding by carrying out
respective, corresponding commands stored in memory.
52. The system of claim 48, wherein said audio device is a digital
satellite broadcast receiver.
53. The system of claim 38, wherein said audio device is a information
storage device.
54. The system of claim 38, wherein said radio telephone and said audio
device both share said receiver of said radio telephone for producing said
second and third audio signals.
55. The system of claim 38, wherein said microphone is located in a cord
between said headset and said radio telephone.
56. The system of claim 38, wherein said user operated switch is located in
a cord between said headset and said radio telephone.
57. The system of claim 49, wherein:
(a) said audio device is a information storage device having a signal with
radiotexts; and
(b) said alpha-numeric information comprises said radiotexts.
58. The system of claim 38, further providing automatic telephone answering
while listening to an audio signal from said audio device through said
second speaker when said user-operated switch is in said second state,
wherein said control means includes means for automatically squelching
said last-mentioned audio signal and initiating a telephone call when a
telephone ring alert signal occurs.
59. The system of claim 58, further comprising means for routing a
telephone ring signal through said second speaker to alert user of an
incoming call before automatically answering the telephone call.
60. The system of claim 51, wherein the voice command is given by switching
the user-operated switch to a microphone position, performing a pattern of
one or more sequential activations of said momentary, user-operated
momentary switch in a predetermined period of time to activate respective
voice command program.
61. The system of claim 49, wherein the incoming alpha-numeric text can be
listened in incoming message mode by performing a pattern of one or more
sequential activations of said momentary, user-operated momentary switch
in a predetermined period of time to activate respective voice command
program.
62. A portable communication and audio system comprising:
(a) a radio telephone for receiving a first audio signal and transmitting a
corresponding first radio signal through a transmitter to another location
and for receiving a second radio signal through a receiver and converting
it to a second audio signal; said radio telephone including;
(i) a handset microphone;
(ii) a handset speaker;
(iii) an input means for connection to an audio device for providing a
third stereophonic audio signal; and
(iv) an input means for connection to a headset;
(b) an audio device providing a third stereophonic audio signal;
(c) a microphone receptive of said first audio signal and being enabled
through a conductive path that includes a link for said microphone;
(d) a headset with first and second speakers for selectively listening to
said second audio signal through said second speaker when conduction
through said link for said microphone is enabled or said third
stereophonic audio signal through said first and second speakers when a
required conductive link for said second speaker is enabled;
(e) a user-operated switch operative when said headset is connected to said
radio telephone and having at least two states including a first state for
enabling conduction through said conductive link for said second speaker
and a second state for enabling conduction through said link for said
microphone;
(f) a state-indicating means for detecting the state of said user-operated
switch;
(g) a control means, responsive to said state-indicating means, for
connecting said first and second speakers to receive said third
stereophonic audio signal when said user-operated switch is in said first
state, and for enabling telephone usage by connecting said microphone to
said transmitter and connecting said second speaker to said receiver when
said user-operated switch is in said second state;
(h) a user-operated momentary switch;
(i) a second control means, responsive to the state of said momentary
switch, for implementing a control function for a selected one of at least
said radio telephone and said audio device; said control means outputting
a tone to a speaker each time the momentary switch is activated: and
(j) a handset control means for connecting said handset microphone to said
transmitter and said transmitter and said handset speaker to said receiver
in response to a headset-to handset switchover signal.
63. The system of claim 62, wherein said second control means is effective
to implement respective control functions of said radio telephone or said
audio device depending on the state of said first-mentioned user-operated
switch and the current operating mode of said radio telephone or said
audio device.
64. The system of claim 65, wherein said second control means provides
different control functions depending on a pattern of a plurality of
sequential activations of said momentary switch each for a duration of at
least a predetermined period of time.
65. The system of claim 63, wherein said pattern differentiates between
activation of said second switch below, and at least as long as, a second
predetermined period of time.
66. The system of claim 62, further comprising a pivotable boom depending
from said headset; said microphone being located on said boom; said boom
having a mouth position when said microphone is located to receive said
first audio signal from a user's mouth and an off-mouth position when said
microphone is located elsewhere; a user adjusting position of said boom
for manipulating said user-operated switch.
67. The system of claim 62, wherein said state-indicating means comprises
detection means to automatically detect a voltage or current change
associated with a change of states of said user-operated switch.
68. The system of claim 67, wherein said state-indicating means includes a
frequency-dependent impedance coupled to said first speaker for enabling
the coupled combination of said first speaker and impedance to have a
discernibly different impedance than said microphone at a predetermined
frequency, so as to facilitate operation of said detection means.
69. The system of claim 68, wherein said frequency-dependent impedance
comprises a capacitor in series with said first speaker.
70. The system of claim 62, wherein said radio telephone is a cellular
telephone.
71. The system of claim 62, wherein said radio telephone is a digital
cellular telephone.
72. The system of claim 62, wherein said audio device is a digital radio
capable of receiving digital audio broadcasting and converting it to said
third audio signal.
73. The system of claim 62, further comprising a synthesizer for receiving
a signal representing alpha-numeric information from said radio telephone
or said audio device and converting said signal to an audible sound
signal.
74. The system of claim 73, wherein:
(a) said audio device is a radio having a signal with radiotexts; and
(b) said alpha-numeric information comprises said radiotexts.
75. The system of claim 62, further comprising:
(a) a voice command detect circuit coupled to said microphone for receiving
spoken commands from a user for a selectable one of said radio telephone
and said audio device; and
(b) means, responsive to said voice command detect circuit, for recognizing
a plurality of said spoken commands and responding by carrying out
respective, corresponding commands stored in memory.
76. The system of claim 62, wherein said audio device is a digital
satellite broadcast receiver.
77. The system of claim 62, wherein said audio device is a information
storage device.
78. The system of claim 62, wherein said microphone is located in a cord
between said headset and said radio telephone.
79. The system of claim 62, wherein said user operated switch is located in
a cord between said headset and said radio telephone.
80. The system of claim 73, wherein:
(a) said audio device is a information storage device having a signal with
radiotexts; and
(b) said alpha-numeric information comprises said radiotexts.
81. The system of claim 62, further providing automatic telephone answering
while listening to an audio signal from said audio device through said
second speaker when said user-operated switch is in said second state,
wherein said control means includes means for automatically squelching
said last-mentioned audio signal and initiating a telephone call when a
telephone ring alert signal occurs.
82. The system of claim 81, further comprising means for routing a
telephone ring signal through said second speaker to alert user of an
incoming call before automatically answering the telephone call.
83. The system of claim 62 further comprising means for generating said
headset-to-handset switchover signal automatically when said headset is
disconnected from said radio telephone.
84. The system of claim 62, wherein the voice command is given by switching
the user-operated switch to a microphone position, performing a pattern of
one or more sequential activations of said momentary, user-operated
momentary switch in a predetermined period of time to activate respective
voice command program.
85. The system of claim 73, wherein the incoming alpha-numeric text can be
listened in incoming message mode by performing a pattern of one or more
sequential activations of said momentary, user-operated momentary switch
in a predetermined period of time to activate respective voice command
program. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to digital cellular telephones, especially to a
digital cellular telephone combined with a digital audio device having
external speakers and a microphone.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Previously portable or mobile telephone and communication units have been
developed to perform several different tasks such as voice mail, facsimile
mail, electronic mail, interactive voice response, automated audio text
services, automated attenuated surface services electronic messaging
services, radio paging services, speech recognition/speech synthesis, TDMF
tone detection, voice recognition, interface of voice and data between
public switched telephone network PSTN, the packet switched public data
network, and portable telephone telephones. (For example, see U.S. Pat.
No. 5,497,373.)
However, all of these units lack the capability to listen to public audio
broadcast programs or stored digital audio programs from a compact disc
player or cassette player while being able to simultaneously be alerted to
incoming messages.
Many manufacturers sell headsets for portable cellular telephones on the
market. Also different light-weight digital audio devices are available
However there is no system available where a digital cellular telephone and
a digital audio device are combined to work integrally together.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,065 describes a solar-powered audio-entertainment
device comprising a solar-powered cassette player, radio receiver or CD
player in wireless connection with a headset. Such invention does not
comprise a telephone and is not connected for wireless telecommunication.
A portable cordless telephone transceiver-RF-receiver is disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,591,661. Such invention is a cordless telephone transceiver
having a broadcast RF receiver. Use of this type of unit is restricted to
a very limited area. It does not allow the listener free mobility because
it is dependent on one RF transceiver and its area coverage is usually
equal to one apartment.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,061 discloses a similar type cordless telephone as
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,591,661 except having a cassette player
instead of a radio receiver. Both of these previous devices lack the
complete portability which is typical for cellular telephone.
In U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,497,338 and 5,497,373, two personal communicators are
disclosed. Personal communicators are capable to of sending and receiving
faxes, e-mail and information either through a telephone line or via
cellular network and to show messages on a display panel. These patents do
not disclose an audio device or a headset.
A broadcast receiver and mobile telephone for motor vehicles is disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,705. This invention is restricted to a vehicle
environment and does not have a headset. It is designed to be installed to
a vehicle permanently and it cannot be used outside of the vehicle.
A headset for use with a radiotelephone is described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,504,812. This headset can be used to carry on a phone conversation
through an external speaker and microphone located in a headset. Such
headset cannot be used to listen to an audio program while having the
telephone in a stand-by mode. Also, the headset circuitry cannot produce
an output tone when a push button is pressed, because the switch is
connected in the ground return where it disconnects the earphone. The very
best that this approach can do is to output a tone when the push button is
released, not when it is pushed, which would be awkward. Every push-button
telephone gives tones when the number keys are pressed, not when it is
released. Without the beep each time the button is pushed, the user may
loose track of the number of pushes or be uncertain as to whether or not
the button was pushed far enough.
A headset for hands-free wireless telephone is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,596.638. Such invention is meant to be used only with a mobile telephone
and cannot be used to switch operation between a telephone and an audio
device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, several objects and advantages of different embodiments and
variations of the invention are:
The capability to listen an audio program while being able to receive
telephone calls at the same time virtually anywhere. The invention is not
dependent upon any one RF base station. A cellular telephone allows a user
to move in a wide area.
The invention gives a user a hands-free alternative to listen to an audio
program and to initiate phone calls without taking the headset.
The headset of this invention gives the user more options than conventional
headsets with microphone. Conventional headsets can only be used to
operate with a cellular telephone.
The headset of this invention gives user the option to choose between an
audio program and a telephone conversation. In advanced embodiments, it is
also possible to receive synthesized pager messages and E-mail through
common speakers.
Other objects and advantages are:
Sharing a common headset allows the user to receive telephone ring alert
signals discreetly through the speakers when a telephone ring alert sound
is undesirable, such as in a public space.
The invention is also use | | |
