WO1992014328A1

WO1992014328A1 - Telecommunication equipment

Info

Publication number: WO1992014328A1
Application number: PCT/CH1992/000019
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edmond D. Levi
Original assignee: Profinor Sa
Priority date: 1991-02-05
Filing date: 1992-01-29
Publication date: 1992-08-20

Abstract

Telecommunication equipment comprising a pocket telephone (1) provided with an antenna and an accumulator. It is mechanically and electronically connected through a single cable (2) to a 'free hands' device (3) and to a cigarette-lighter supply plug (4). The 'free hands' device is situated between the portable telephone (1) and the cigarette-lighter plug (4).

Description

TELECOMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT

The subject of the present invention is telecommunications equipment and more particularly a pocket telephone which can be carried on board a vehicle.

Many world-renowned manufacturers manufacture and sell all kinds of portable or mobile telephones, all of which have specific advantages but none of which can meet all of the usage situations faced by a user in all of his needs.

Indeed, there are so-called "portable" telephones which are light in weight, compact and therefore easily transportable, but whose autonomy is relatively small and above all which cannot be used when driving a motor car. because we do not know where to fix them in the car, their autonomy, as indicated above, is too weak for long-term use without recharging or changing batteries and above all they are not equipped with a "hands-free" system, that is to say, a microphone and a loudspeaker enabling a motorist to drive his car during a telephone conversation without holding said mobile telephone in one hand. If this is still tolerated now it will soon not be the same for obvious security reasons, the driver must already focus on the content of his telephone conversation can not yet drive with care and security his vehicle if he does not have more than with one hand, the other being necessarily mobilized by holding the mobile phone. The ab- The presence of a "hands-free" system is also a drawback when the equipment is used elsewhere than in a car and when several people have to take part in the conversation.

There are also automobile car telephones which are permanently installed in a conventional car and which generally have a "hands-free" system. These devices require a fixed installation in the car and therefore cannot be used as mobile phones; these are ultimately fixed telephones assigned to a rolling vehicle. These phones require installation work in the vehicle.

Finally, there are still portable telephone sets which can be used everywhere. They are very bulky, have sufficient autonomy, but are heavy due to the large batteries, most of which do not have a "hands-free" system so that they cannot be used for conferences at several people and their use by car is problematic, especially since nothing is planned to keep them in place and they are therefore likely to be overturned due to bumps in the road, turns, etc. These devices the size of a small briefcase are bulky and heavy and therefore less and less used if not as a telephone for a second home or as a second "fixed" telephone.

The subject of the present invention is telecommunications equipment and more particularly a telephone for pocket that can be used as a car and conference phone.

It includes an accessory weighing less than 120 grams capable of instantly converting a pocket radio telephone into a "hands-free" car phone or, just as instantly, transforming the pocket radio radio into an indoor telephone , also "hands-free" for telephoning while manually taking care of or for holding a teleconference between two working groups distant from each other.

This construction is a component, mechanical, electrical and electronic, which is contained in a housing crossed by an electrical cable with several wires, one of the two ends of the cable being plugged in, by means of a multi-function connector. , to a pocket radio telephone while the other end is fitted with a cigar lighter in order to be able to connect it in a vehicle to a 12 or 24 V power supply or to use it in a room in drawing domestic current by means of a transformer.

Several unsuccessful attempts have been made to try to add a pocket "handsfree" to a pocket radio telephone. These attempts all failed for lack of being able to successfully miniaturize the hands free while eliminating the feedback effect it causes.

The present equipment overcomes the drawbacks of the aforementioned devices and is defined by the characteristics of claim 1.

The attached drawing illustrates schematically and by way of example one of the possible forms of execution of the team- telephone ment according to the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective of the telephone equipment.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of the electronic circuit of the "hands-free" device.

The pocket telecommunication equipment according to the present invention comprises a pocket telephone having a large autonomy, due to a rechargeable battery, comprising all the options offered by a device of this type of high technology. It can be a device of the "Natel C", "Telecom 2000" type or others provided with its antenna.

The present pocket telephone is particularly suitable for being carried on board a vehicle, for being used as a car telephone with “hands-free” equipment, without however requiring fixed installations in the vehicle. It is also particularly well suited to be used for conferences for several people also without requiring fixed installations. This pocket phone 1 is mechanically connected and electrically connected using a single cable 2 to a "hands-free" device 3 and to a low-voltage power socket 4 generally of the "cigar lighter" type. ".

The body of the "hands-free" device can be presented in particular in the form of a small box of 4 cm x 4 cm by 2 cm approximately, it comprises an electronic printed circuit adapted to the electronics of the radio telephone of poached. This circuit manages and distributes according to an established scheme, between the various elements of the telephone, including the Feeding calves range from 7 to 30 V. Depending on the possible variants, it has, inside or outside of this housing, an "ambient audio" system making it possible to speak and hear clearly. his correspondent, when you are within sight of the telephone set.

The electric cable 2 comprises electrical conductors ensuring the connection between the "cigarette lighter" socket and the pocket telephone 1 for simultaneously supplying power and charging its built-in accumulator.

This electrical cable 2 also includes the electrical connections necessary for the connection between the “hands-free” device 3 and the pocket telephone 1.

Finally, this electrical cable 2 simultaneously constitutes the mechanical support of the "hands-free" device 3. To this end, this "hands-free" device 3 is located near the "cigarette lighter" socket 4 and the electrical cable 2 or at least its sheath in its portion connecting this socket 4 to the "hands-free" device is mechanically ré¬ resistant and relatively rigid. Thus, when the socket 4 is engaged in the "cigarette lighter" socket of a vehicle, this section of rigid cable serves as a support and attachment to the "hands-free" device.

On the other hand, the other part of the cable 2, connecting the "hands-free" device to the pocket telephone, is flexible and extensible, as is the custom for ensuring the maneuverability of the pocket telephone 1.

The end of the cable 2 is connected to the pocket telephone 1 using a plug-in connector 5. The pocket telephone is also provided with a fixing member in order to be able to fix it on the surface of the dashboard of a vehicle or place it on a seat without it moving. This fixing member can be constituted by a suction cup fixed to the pocket telephone and making it possible to fix it by simple pressure on a smooth surface.

This fixing member can also be formed by a "velcro" band fixed to the pocket telephone 1 cooperating with a corresponding "velcro" band fixed where the user desires. This second "velcro" strip can be affixed to a heavy pad, loaded with shot for example, and whose surface is non-slip. It is thus possible to "fix" the pocket telephone anywhere simply by placing the said pad and placing the telephone there.

The assembly formed by the pocket telephone and its power cable including the "hands-free" device is very compact. It can be stored in a very small volume kit. This would be true even if the user wishes to take with him also a charging and supply device via the network and a device for fixing the telephone, suction cup or pad.

We thus realized the least bulky universal pocket phone.

Thus, this equipment, particularly intended to be taken on board a vehicle without requiring a fixed mon¬ tage, nevertheless allows the use of the pocket telephone alone outside the vehicle.

It is also planned to add a 220V / 12V power transformer and rectifier to this equipment. an electric cord for connection to the 220 Volt sector and a socket identical to a vehicle cigarette lighter.

The user can thus, other than in his vehicle, power his pocket phone 1 and recharge his battery using the power supply unit via this transformer. This pocket phone can therefore be used as a telephone with surround speakers for conferences with several users. It is thus possible to have a "hands-free" telephone with loudspeakers in the car as well as in the conference room or at home.

This device therefore meets all the requirements of a car telephone combined with a pocket telephone with ambient speakers, and does not have any of the drawbacks of existing devices.

It can be used both as a car station or as a pocket phone without requiring any particular installation for any of its uses. The device which weighs only 120 grams is infinitely lighter and of course much less bulky than a mobile phone, while retaining all the faculties and all the ease of use. When the pocket telephone is detached from the “hands-free” device in question, it will regain its original weight, preserve the integrity of its functions and all its mobility as a pocket telephone; in a car it does not require any installation fixed to the vehicle, has a "hands-free" system, and has a simple and original holding or fixing device, for example a suction cup or a pad. In addition, it can be powered by the cigarette lighter socket of a vehicle simultaneously ensuring the charging of the accumulator, so that the total capacity of the rechargeable battery of the pocket telephone is always available when it is used separately. When used in a conference room, it can be connected to the 220V network via an auxiliary transformer.

For the individual user, this equipment also has the advantage of being able to be acquired in any store, retailer, large area, etc. since it requires no assembly and is immediate and ready to use as soon as a call number is assigned to it by the competent administration, which could even be done in the future at the time of purchase from and by an individual.

In the case of car rental companies, with fleets of several thousand units, this device is even more advantageous. It is out of the question for these companies to equip all their cars with a "hands-free" system or even telephones, so the client can only rent a very expensive luxury car equipped with a telephone, if it is still available. .

With the equipment offered by this invention (pocket radio phone + pocket hands-free), it rented separately regardless of the rental of the car, will be instantly placed in the luxury car or utility vehicle chosen by the customer.

1. A complete "hands-free" telephone system, which it will connect to the "cigarette lighter" power supply of the car to immediately have the free provision of a clear, crisp global telephone network, without any installation costs, or purchase of additional accessories.

He could instantly, without the help of a technician, change cars and continue to use his telephone just as safely in another car, or anywhere outside his car.

If he plans to travel on foot, by train, taxi or boat, he will take his pocket phone, possibly with an additional battery in his luggage, and a small conventional power outlet to recharge them from time to time .

Finally, the range that a car rental company can offer to its customers will be very wide and free because it will give them the possibility of choosing any car in the fleet, and nevertheless having mobile phones without, however, the cars being fitted with any fixed equipment. For a car rental company, this advantage would translate into savings of around 80% of the cost of installing and equipping a standard "hands-free" system, that is to say fixed in each vehicle.

The user can also, by connecting the pocket phone to the 220V network using the auxiliary transformer, have a telephone with ambient speakers in any office or local. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawing, the assembly constituting the portable telecommunications equipment consists of a pocket telephone 1 and a low-voltage and "hands-free" power supply device.

This low-voltage and "hands-free" power supply device comprises a "cigar-lighter" plug 4 intended to be connected to a low-voltage supply socket, a "hands-free" device 3 and an electrical cable. 2 connecting on the one hand the pocket telephone 1 to the "hands-free" device 3 and on the other hand this "hands-free" device 3 to the low-voltage power plug 4. This electric cable comprises a first part relatively rigid and short 2a between the plug 4 and the "hands free" device 3 and a second flexible, flexible and relatively long part 2b between the "hands free" device 3 and the pocket telephone 1.

This set allows the user of a pocket radio phone of any existing type to converse without having to place the mono-block handset against his ear. The user can leave the handset on its support as long as it is in direct sight of his mouth.

This was made possible thanks to the use of a sophisticated electronic circuit comprising several high quality filters and various low noise amplifier circuits, the whole being connected to a specific loudspeaker. Although miniaturized, the device could be produced without any trace of feedback, in order to obtain a clear and clear communication, in both meaning 100% duplex.

FIG. 2 illustrates this electronic circuit which comprises two stages of amplifiers making use here of integrated amplifiers U1 and U2 of type 082, the BFIN input of which receives the low frequency signals coming from the pocket telephone 1. The output of this chain of amplifiers supplies, by means of an adjustable potentiometer P1, a filtering circuit comprising in particular an integrated circuit U3 of the type MC 34019 supplying the loudspeaker HP. This electronic circuit makes it possible to avoid and eliminate any snagging or interference between the loudspeaker HP and the microphones and speakers incorporated in the pocket telephone 1.

In addition, a low-voltage power supply is integrated so that the pocket telephone can also be supplied when it is connected to the "hands-free" device, making it possible to reduce the number of connections necessary for the use of a multi-function connector 5 between the part 2b of the electric cable 2 and the pocket telephone 1. This supply allows simultaneously the supply of the electronic circuit of the "hands free" and the recharging of the batteries of the pocket radio telephone 1 so that it it is always ready for use without an external power source.

This low voltage power supply is connected to the "cigarette lighter" plug by two conductors V BAT IN and the earth and delivers a first voltage + V for the power supply to the pocket phone and the integrated circuit U3 as well as a second voltage + V / 2 supplying the electronic circuit "hands free".

This embodiment makes it possible, as can be seen, to limit the number of electrical conductors in cable 2 to two conductors in part 2a and three in part 2b of this cable 2.

The entire "hands-free" and power supply electronic circuit, as well as the loudspeaker, are housed in a small rigid case.

In the example illustrated, a multi-function connector 5 allows the connection of the “hands-free” and power supply device 2,3,4 to the pocket telephone 1.

Claims

1. Telecommunication equipment, characterized in that it consists of an assembly comprising a pocket radio telephone and a power supply and "hands-free" device for this pocket radio telephone; this device comprises an electric cable connecting both mechanically and electrically the "hands-free" device on the one hand to a low voltage power plug and on the other hand to the pocket telephone.

2. Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the power plug is of the "cigar lighter" type.

3. Equipment according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the electric cable is connected to the pocket telephone by a multi-function connector.

4. Equipment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a housing containing the electronic "hands free" and power supply circuits as well as a loudspeaker.

5. Equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that the electric cable comprises a first rigid part of short length mechanically connecting the plug to the box and electrically this plug to the power circuit housed in this box.

6. Equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that the electric cable comprises a second flexible and extensible part connecting mechanically said box to the pocket telephone and electrically the electrical circuits "hands free" and power supply to the telephone of pocket.

7. Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a fixing member constituted by a "velcro" band fixed on the pocket telephone cooperating with a corresponding "velcro" band fixed on a support.

8. Equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that the support is a heavy pad, filled with shot, one side of which is non-slip and another provided with said corresponding "velcro" strip.

9. Equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that the bearing comprises a fixing member comprising a link provided with at least one suction cup.

10. Equipment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a 220V / 12V transformer-rectifier provided with a cable for connection to an electrical distribution network and a standard socket. "cigar lighter" to which the low voltage power plug can be connected.

11. Power supply and "hands free" device for en¬ telecommunication according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an electric cable connecting both mechanically and electrically the "hands free" device on the one hand to a low voltage power plug and on the other hand to a pocket telephone.

12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises a box containing the electronic circuits "hands free" and power as well as a speaker.

13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the electric cable is connected to the pocket telephone by a multi-function connector.

14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the electric cable comprises a first rigid part of short length mechanically connecting the plug to the housing and electrically this plug to the supply circuit housed in this housing and a second flexible part and extendable mechanically connecting said housing to the pocket phone and electrically the electronic circuits "hands free" and power to the pocket phone.