Bluetooth cassette-like device for a hands-free cell-phone kit

• US 20030224726A1
• Filed: 05/15/2002
• Published: 12/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Shearer, Edwin H. S., Dienst, Kathryn E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,117,021 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.1
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/049 Cassettes for special applications not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

A hands-free kit for cell-phones combines the wireless capabilities of Bluetooth and the sound and visual functionalities of a tape player. A device that has a shape of a conventional magnetic cassette comprises a Bluetooth module. The module automatically detects a data communication initiated with the portable apparatus over a wireless network when the device is inserted in the tape player. Then the module automatically configures the apparatus to transmit to the device a low frequency signal representative of the communicated data. The device converts the received low frequency signal into a magnetic signal further communicated to the tape player for play out and/or display. Thus, when a cell-phone rings, a driver inserts the device in his tape player and the cell is picked up and the conversation played out loud on the loud speakers in the car.

Claims

1. A device for insertion in a tape player, the device comprising:

a Bluetooth module configured to automatically detect a presence of a Bluetooth-enabled apparatus in a receiving range of the device, to automatically detect a data communication initiated with the portable apparatus over a wireless network when the device is inserted in the tape player, for automatically configuring the apparatus to transmit to the device a low frequency signal representative of the communicated data and the Bluetooth module is further configured to receive the low frequency signal;

a circuit arrangement for converting the received low frequency signal into a magnetic signal; and

,

a transducer for communicating the magnetic signal to the tape player.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the communicated data comprises audio data and the low frequency signal is representative of the audio data, and the transducer further communicates the magnetic signal to a magnetic head of the tape player for play out by a sound system coupled to the tape player.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the Bluetooth enabled apparatus comprises a cell-phone and the communicated data represents a phone call to the apparatus.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the Bluetooth enabled apparatus comprises a cell-phone and the communicated data represents a notification of a new voice mail delivered to a mailbox associated with the apparatus.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the device has a shape substantially equivalent to the shape of a magnetic cassette.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the communicated data comprises text data.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the apparatus comprises a text to speech software application that converts the text data in an audio file, the low frequency signal comprises the audio file and the transducer further communicates the magnetic signal to a magnetic head of the tape player for play out by a sound system coupled to the tape player.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the low frequency signal comprises identification data identifying an addresser of the text data to the apparatus and the transducer further communicates the magnetic signal to a magnetic head of the tape player for display onto a display associated with the tape player.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is solar-powered.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a source of power rechargeable from a power source of the tape player when inserted in the tape player.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a source of power rechargeable from a cigarette-lighter power source in a car.

12. A system comprising:

a portable Bluetooth-enabled apparatus for transmitting a radio frequency audio signal;

a device for insertion in a tape player, the device comprising

a Bluetooth module configured to automatically detect a presence of the apparatus in a receiving range of the device, to automatically detect a data communication initiated with the portable apparatus over a wireless network when the device is inserted in the tape player, for automatically configuring the apparatus to transmit to the device a low frequency signal representative of the communicated data and the Bluetooth module is further configured to receive the low frequency signal;

a circuit arrangement for converting the received low frequency signal into a magnetic signal; and

,

a transducer for communicating the magnetic signal to the tape player.