WO2007076517A2

WO2007076517A2 - Combination battery charger, fm transmitter, transceiver, and rds generator

Info

Publication number: WO2007076517A2
Application number: PCT/US2006/062635
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arthur L. Cohen; John R. Haggis; John Glissman
Original assignee: Aerielle Technologies, Inc.
Priority date: 2005-12-27
Filing date: 2006-12-27
Publication date: 2007-07-05
Also published as: WO2007076517A3

Abstract

An electronic device combining a cigarette lighter adapter/charger, a hands free audio interface for transmitting a signal to a headset, speaker, or transceiver;, an FM transmitter for a phone-based media player, and a radio data system for the FM transmitter.

Description

COMBINATION BATTERY CHARGER, FM TRANSMITTER, TRANSCEIVER, AND RDS GENERATOR

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to portable consumer electronic devices, and more particularly to a novel mobile accessory combining a battery charger, FM transmitter, and transceiver.

Background Art

[0002] Innovation in multi-media players frequently requires increasingly exotic combinations of otherwise discrete technologies. Mobile phones in particular have evolved into a platform for a suite of electronic devices and services, including phone, text messaging device, personal data assistant, computer/calculator, multimedia player, and Internet access device, among others. And while the quality of each functional element is improving in such devices, it is still advantageous to provide an interface or bridge to connect such multi-feature mobile phones to other devices that provide a superior presentation of sounds, images, and information. The present invention provides such a bridge.

Disclosure of Invention

[0003] A consumer electronics device combining a cigarette lighter adapter phone adapter/charger (CLA), a hands free audio interface for transmitting a signal to a headset, speaker, or transceiver, an FM transmitter for a phone-based media player, and a radio data system for the FM transmitter. The CLA includes a plug and a programmable switching/charging regulator that draws power from a vehicle cigarette lighter socket. The CLA is connected to a phone and provides means for sending a signal to a wireless or wired headset and/or microphone or simply a speaker. The FM transmitter generates a multiplex composite signal (along with RDS) which is modulated and controlled to convey stereo music audio from the media player in the mobile phone to the FM radio in the automobile. The RDS generator generates a subcarrier conveying RDS information and displays textual information on the automobile radio display.

[0004] Other novel features which are characteristic of the invention, as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this disclosure. The invention resides not in any one of these features taken alone, but rather in the particular combination of all of its structures for the functions specified.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0005] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0006] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the functional elements of the mobile hands free, charger, transmitter, and transceiver of the present invention;

[0007] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the cigarette lighter adapter portion of the inventive system;

[0008] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing both a wired and a wireless connection of audio output devices to the cigarette lighter adapter electronics and the transmitter;

10009] FlG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of the FM transmitter module of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of the radio data system generator portion of the inventive system;

[0011] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the analog FM transmitter;

[0012] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the CPU for the analog transmitter; and

[0013] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the programmable power supply and audio isolation amplifier.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] The hybrid mobile accessory device of the present invention, generally denominated 100 herein, includes a unique combination of features which are highly desirable for the new generation of multi-feature mobile phones. It is an all-in-one solution for automotive applications. Referring now to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the functional components and features of the apparatus include: (a) a cigarette lighter adapter (CLA) phone charger 110; (b) a hands free audio interface 200 which transmits a signal to an audio input/output device, such as a wired (mounted or headset) speaker/microphone 210 or wireless transceiver 220 in a wireless headset 230; (c) an FM transmitter 300 for a phone-based media player 500; and (d) a radio data system (RDS) generator 600 for the FM transmitter. [0015] Cigarette Lighter Adapter Phone Charger. Referring now to FIG. 2, the first functional component of the inventive hybrid mobile accessory of the present invention is a cigarette lighter adapter (CLA), which includes a plug 120, a programmable switching/charging regulator 130 that includes voltage setting and signal components 140, and which draws power from a vehicle cigarette lighter socket or accessory socket to provide a variety of mobile phone charging requirements. As an example, but not by way of limitation and for purposes of illustration only, the CLA charger may provide 5-12V 150 for charging the phone, and using a fixed linear regulator 160, it may provide 3.6V 160 for powering or charging the FM transmitter and/or transceiver interface electronics. [0016] Hands free Audio Interface. The inventive hybrid apparatus further provides hands free access to the mobile phone's headset audio interface. The CLA is connected to the phone via a multiconductor cable 240 having a plug 250 for the phone. The CLA then provides means for sending a signal 260 to a Bluetooth, proprietary, or other digital or analog wireless headset/microphone 230, or to a wired headset/microphone 250, or a mounted speaker/microphone 210. Even the wired headset or the car-mounted speaker/microphone require only a single connection to the phone (via the main interface cable) on entering or exiting the car. The wired components stay wired to the CLA portion of the assembly. [0017] FM Transmitter. Referring now to FIG. 4, it will be seen that the FM transmitter module 300 multiplexes left and right audio signals 310, 320 using filters and limiters 330, 340, and mixers 350, 360, as is well known, and the resulting sidebands 370 are combined with a pilot carrier 380 in a combiner 390 to form a multiplex composite signal 400. The multiplex composite signal (along with RX)S) is then modulated by a modulator 410 and tightly controlled by a closed loop frequency control system, such as a phase locked loop filter 420. The purpose of this component is to convey stereo music audio from the media player in the mobile phone to the FM radio in the automobile. The functionality is also illustrated in more detail in the wiring schematic 700 of FIG. 6.

[0018] RDS Generator. Referring now to FIG. 5, the RDS (Radio Data System) generator 600 generates a 57 KHz subcarrier 610 conveying RDS information. The RDS signal data is formatted, corrected, encoded, and biphase symbols are generated using a CPU 620. Carrier modulation is further accomplished with the CPU or through analog means 630. The output is filtered 640 and mixed 650 with the stereo audio multiplex audio for modulating the transmitter RF.

[0019] The RDS system displays information (text) on the automobile radio display. Its primary intent is to convey the song/media information (artist, title, album, etc.) but can also carry CID or other messages from the phone. The RDS display of the car radio is useful for providing a more line-of-sight location for information from the mobile phone with minimal distraction for the driver. [0020] Analog schematics: FIGS. 6-8 are schematic diagrams illustrating the preferred embodiments of the voltage regulators and FM transmitter 700, CPU for the analog transmitter 800, and programmable power supply and audio isolation amplifier 900. [0021] Beginning with FIG. 6, what is shown is a schematic diagram of an analog FM transmitter according to the present invention. FIG. 6 has two principal sections: DC power input and regulation circuits shown on the left side of the schematic; and an RF transmitter circuit comprising the remainder of the illustration.

[0022] The DC power for the transmitter circuits is derived from the +12V DC input received from Jack Jl. The +12V DC from jack Jl is passed serially through fuse Fl before being passed through the filter comprised of capacitor C25 and ferrite bead FB3. After this filtering, the power is passed in parallel through resistors R20 and R22. From R20 the power passes through LED D3 and resistor Rl 8 to pin 1 (input) of voltage regulator U2. . From R22 the power passes through LED D2 and resistor Rl 8 to pin 1 (input) of voltage regulator U2. Capacitor C31 filters the power arriving at pin 1 of voltage regulator U2. [0023] Voltage regulator U2 uses a feedback loop to regulate its output voltage. As the output voltage at pin 5 of voltage regulator U2 varies from the expected output voltage, the voltage present at pin 4 of voltage regulator U4 varies proportionally (based on the values of the resistive voltage divider network comprised of resistors Rl 5 and R25). When voltage regulator U2 sees the voltage vary at pin 4, the output voltage present at pin 5 is automatically adjusted to bring the output voltage back to the expected value (+3.6V). Capacitor C34 provides an alternating current bypass for voltage regulator U2. Capacitors C28, C29 and C9 provide RF filtering of the +3.3V DC output power of voltage regulator U2. Transmitter Ul 's phase locked loop (PLL) circuit receives the regulated +3.3V DC through pin 12 of transmitter Ul . The regulated +3.3 V DC power is also supplied, via ferrite bead FB2, to pin 8 of transmitter Ul .

[0024] Still referring to FIG. 6, it can be seen that jack J4 (pin 1) receives an analog input signal representing the left half of a stereo audio signal. Similarly, jack J5 (pin 1) receives the right half of the same stereo audio signal. Jack J7 provides a common ground for these audio inputs. [0025] The left half of the stereo audio is passed through padding resistor Rl, and then through the filter network comprised of resistor R2 and capacitors ClO and C8. After this filtering is accomplished, the left half of the stereo audio is passed into transmitter Ul via pin

22. The pre-emphasis and low-pass filtering values are set for the left half of the stereo audio signal by the values of capacitors C2 and C3, respectively.

[0026] The right half of the stereo audio is passed through padding resistor R7, and then through the filter network comprised of resistor R9 and capacitors C20 and Cl 4. After this filtering is accomplished, the left half of the stereo audio is passed into transmitter Ul via pin

1. The pre-emphasis and low-pass filtering values are set for the right half of the stereo audio signal by the values of capacitors C 16 and C 17 respectively.

[0027] After application of pre-emphasis and low-pass filtering, the left and right halves of the stereo audio signal are each modulated (via an internal multiplexer and modulator circuit of transmitter Ul) onto the transmitter RF signal.

[0028] The operating frequency of Transmitter Ul is determined by an internal oscillator whose frequency is set digitally based on instructions received via the serial data bus comprised ofpins 15, 16 and 17 of transmitter Ul.

[0029] An internal local oscillator of transmitter Ul uses (via pin 9) external components capacitors C 19, C21 and C22, inductor Ll, diode Dl and resistor Rl 6 to determine the operating frequency of the internal local oscillator.

[0030] Crystal Yl provides a clock stabilization and frequency determination component to the internal processor of transmitter Ul via pins 13 and 14 of transmitter Ul.

[0031] The external components used by transmitter Ul 's internal PLL circuit include resistors R3, R4, R6, R8, Rl 1, R12, R19, R24, capacitors CI l, C12, C23, C26, C30, C32, and transistor Ql .

[0032] The modulated RF output of transmitter Ul is sent to resistor R5, after which the RF signal is filtered by capacitor Cl 3 before being passed through DC isolation capacitor C7 and then on to RF output jack J8 (pin 1). The RF output is filtered using capacitor Cl.

[0033] Referring now to FlG. 7, what is shown is a schematic diagram of a central processing unit (CPU) for controlling the activities, and interfacing with the analog transmitter of the present invention.

[0034] In FIG. 7, there is a microprocessor U4 that has a clock reference crystal Y2 connected across pins 8 and 9 of microprocessor U4. Microprocessor U4 receives (at pins 1 and 64) +3V DC power, filtered by capacitor C36. An external programming interface is provided to microprocessor U4 via pins 54 through 57. These pins are connected to programming tool via jack J3. An auto-reset circuit comprised of resistor R33 and capacitor C35 cause the microprocessor to reset when the input voltage drops below a predetermined value.

[0035] A 3-wire serial data interface is used by microprocessor U4 to communicate with FM transmitter Ul (as seen in FlG. 6). Pins 61 (CE), 59 (clock) and 60 (data) of microprocessor U4 (in FIG. 7) are connected to pins 15 (CE), 16 (clock) and 17 (data) of transmitter Ul (in FIG. 6), thus forming a serial communications bus between the two devices. It is through this serial communications bus that microprocessor U4 (in FIG. 7) controls the activities and operation frequencies of transmitter Ul (in FIG. 6). [0036] Microprocessor U4 is in communication, via pins 36, 37, 38, 39, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21, with pins 1 through 14 of liquid crystal diode (LCD) display assembly LCDl . Through this interface, microprocessor U4 controls what is displayed by LCDl . [0037] Microprocessor U4 receives as input, via pins 45, 44, 45, 34, 33, 32, 31 and 30, a set of option conditions as set by the presence or absence of jumpers JPl through JP16. These jumpers are used, in this implementation example, to determine the frequency of operation for a transmitter.

[0038] Microprocessor U4 also receives as input, via pins 49, 50, 51, 52, and 53, a set of momentary-on pushbutton switch conditions as determined by whether any of switches Sl through S5 are being pressed. Pins 49 through 53 of microprocessor U4 are normally pulled 'low' via switches S5 through Sl respectively. A +3V DC power source is connected to one end of resistors R32 to R28. When switch Sl is pressed (removing ground from pin 53 of microprocessor U4), resistor R28 is used to pull high pin 53 of microprocessor U4. When switch S2 is pressed (removing ground from pin 52 of microprocessor U4), resistor R29 is used to pull high pin 52 of microprocessor U4. When switch S3 is pressed (removing ground from pin 51 of microprocessor U4), resistor R30 is used to pull high pin 51 of microprocessor

U4. When switch S4 is pressed (removing ground from pin 50 of microprocessor U4), resistor R29 is used to pull high pin 50 of microprocessor U4. When switch S5 is pressed

(removing ground from pin 49 of microprocessor U4), resistor R28 is used to pull high pin 49 of microprocessor U4.

[0039] Microprocessor U4 can detect a change of high/low state at each of these input pins

(49 through 53), and can thus determine whenever one of the switches (Sl through S5) is pressed.

[0040J Referring now to FlG. 8 what is shown is a schematic diagram of the programmable power supply and audio isolation amplifier. There is an audio isolation amplifier circuit shown in the top half of the schematic. Positive (+) 12V DC power arrives at pin 8 of audio isolation amplifier Ul, after being filtered via RC filter network Rl and C5. A radio frequency (RF) signal source is presented at terminal E5 of the circuit. Additionally, the right and left audio sources from a stereo input are separately presented at terminals E7 and E8 respectively. AU of these input signals use terminal E6 as their common ground. The ground path has ferrite bead FBI inserted to block RF signals from being fed through a ground loop into the audio isolation amplifier Ul.

[0041] In the case of the RF input arriving at terminal E5, the signal is simply passed out to terminal El after being filtered by capacitor C8.

[0042] In the case of the right-side audio signal arriving at terminal E7, it is filtered through

RC network R2 and C6 before being passed into audio isolation amplifier Ul on pin 3. Then, after being amplified by audio isolation amplifier Ul , the signal is passed out pin 1 of audio isolation amplifier Ul and through DC isolation capacitor C3, and finally out through terminal E3 so it is passed to an input of analog FM transmitter 700.

[0043] In the case of the left-side audio signal arriving at terminal E8, it is filtered through

RC network R3 and C7 before being passed into audio isolation amplifier Ul on pin 5. Then, after being amplified by audio isolation amplifier Ul, the signal is passed out pin 7 of audio isolation amplifier Ul and through DC isolation capacitor C2, and finally out through terminal E4 so it is passed to an input of analog FM transmitter 700.

[0044] Also shown in FIG. 8 (across the bottom half of the schematic) is a programmable power supply circuit. The power supply has two input terminals. Terminal 12 is used as ground reference for the power supply. Terminal 11 is the input source of approximately +12V DC from a vehicle power supply. The +12V DC input is passed through an RF filter network comprised of ferrite bead FB2, capacitor C9 and capacitor CI l. After filtering, the +12V DC is supplied as an input to voltage regulator U2.

[0045] The regulated output voltage being fed through ferrite bead FB3 to terminal E9 is fed back to pin 6 of voltage regulator U2 via the resistor-divider network comprised of R5 and R6. Voltage regulator U2 uses this feedback to detect variance in the output voltage from the expected value. If any variance occurs, the output voltage is adjusted to bring the value back to the expected value. The values used in the RC network comprised of resistor R4 and capacitor arc what Cl 2 determine the regulated output voltage. Zcncr diode Dl, along with capacitor ClO provide damping of voltage spikes caused when magnetic field of inductor Ll suddenly collapses.

[0046] The regulated voltage output from voltage regulator U2, after being transient- protected by zener diode D2, is sent through pin 3 of voltage regulator U2, and then is passed through the filter network comprised of inductor Ll and capacitor C 13. After this filtering, the regulated voltage is presented through ferrite bead FB3 to terminal E9. [0047] In this manner, a regulated DC power supply source is made available to circuits requiring this voltage.

[0048] Thus, it is seen that, in FTGS 6, 7 and 8, a complete schematic can be assembled as an exemplary (though not limiting) representation of the circuits and components that can be used when implementing the present invention.

[0049] Digital Options. In addition to the analog implementation, hybrid analog/digital and fully digital versions of the FM transmitter are possible. The hybrid version of the present invention integrates the stereo audio multiplexer and pilot generation functions into a DSP, with composite multiplexed audio output to the RF modulator. The fully-digital version extends the DSP functionality from the multiplexer through the RF generation and modulation, with output of the actual analog FM radio signal.

[0050] The foregoing disclosure is sufficient to enable those with skill in the relevant art to practice the invention without undue experimentation. The disclosure further provides the best mode of practicing the invention now contemplated by the inventors. [0051] While the particular combination mobile handsfree charger, transmitter, and transceiver herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages stated herein, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention and that no limitations are intended concerning the detail of construction or design shown other than as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, the proper scope of the present invention should be determined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass obvious modifications as well as all relationships equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed as invention is:

1. A hybrid electronics accessory for use with a multifeature mobile phone, comprising: a cigarette lighter adapter and phone charger; a hands free audio interface for transmitting a signal to an audio input/output device; an audio input/output device for receiving a signal from said hands free audio interface; an FM transmitter for a phone-based media player; and a radio data system (RDS) generator for the FM transmitter.

2. The hybrid electronic accessory of claim 1, wherein said audio input/output device is selected from the group consisting of wired headset, wireless headset, wired speaker, wireless speaker, wired transceiver, and wireless transceiver.

3. The hybrid electronic accessory of claim 1 , wherein said CLA includes a plug for a vehicle's cigarette lighter socket and a programmable switching/charging regulator.

4. The hybrid electronic accessory of claim 3, wherein said programmable switching/charging regulator includes voltage setting and signal components to provide suitable voltage for charging a mobile phone and for powering or charging said FM transmitter and/or said hands free audio interface.

5. The hybrid electronic accessory of claim 1 , wherein said CLA is connected to said phone via a multiconductor cable having a plug for the mobile phone.

6. The hybrid electronic accessory of claim 5, wherein said FM transmitter multiplexes left and right audio signals and generates sidebands.

7. The hybrid electronic accessory of claim 6, further including a combiner for combining said sidebands with a pilot carrier to form a multiplex composite signal.

8. The hybrid electronic accessory of claim 7, further including a modulator for modulating said multiplex composite signal along with a signal generated by said RDS generator.

9. The hybrid electronic accessory of claim 8, wherein the modulated multiplex, composite and RDS signals are controlled by a closed loop frequency control system to convey stereo music audio from the media player in the mobile phone to an FM radio receiver.

10. The hybrid electronic accessory of claim 8, wherein said RDS generator generates a 57 KHz subcarrier which conveys RDS data in an RDS signal, and wherein said RDS data is formatted, corrected, encoded, and biphase symbols arc generated with a CPU.