Electronic subsystem with communication links

• US 20060122504A1
• Filed: 11/19/2004
• Published: 06/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Agere Systems Incorporated (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Agere Systems Incorporated (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gabara, Thaddeus John, Prodanov, Vladimir
• Application Number:
  US10/993,532
• Publication Number:
  US 20060122504A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/437
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 11/00 Transmission systems employing sonic, ultrasonic or infrasonic waves

Abstract

Electronic modules are interconnected with one another by means of communication (e.g., ultrasonic) links, In one embodiment, in a local conference call environment, only one wireless RF link is necessary—between a master cell phone and a base station, whereas all other voice modules are interconnected with one another and with the master via ultrasonic links. In another embodiment, a master voice module (with or without an RF link to a base station) includes at least one detachable module (e.g., an earpiece and/or mouthpiece) that is interconnected with the master via an ultrasonic link. In yet another embodiment, a detachable module includes a capacitor, which serves as its power supply and which is recharged when it is attached a master module (e.g., by a battery in the master module).

Claims

1. An ultrasonic subsystem comprising:

a first electronic module including a first ultrasonic unit, and

a second electronic module including a second ultrasonic unit for communicating with said first unit via free-space ultrasonic waves.

2. The subsystem of claim 1, wherein said modules and each contain audio transducers, and said ultrasonic units communicate audio information from a transducer in one of said modules to a transducer in the other module.

3. The subsystem of claim 1, wherein said second module has a first state in which it is attached to said first module and a second state in which it is detached from said first module.

4. The subsystem of claim 3, wherein said second module is selected from the group consisting of at least one earpiece and at least one mouthpiece.

5. The subsystem of claim 4, wherein said second module includes a pair of earpieces that provide stereo broadcast therefrom.

6. The subsystem of claim 3, wherein said second module includes a capacitor for providing electrical power thereto, and said first module includes a battery for charging said capacitor when said second module is attached to said first module.

7. The subsystem of claim 1, wherein said first module includes an RF transceiver for communicating with a base station.

8. The subsystem of claim 7, wherein said first module comprises a cell phone.

9. The subsystem of claim 8, wherein said second module also comprises a cell phone.

10. A cellular subsystem comprising:

a first cell phone including an RF transceiver for communicating with a base station and a first ultrasonic unit,

an electronic module including a second ultrasonic unit for communicating with said first unit via free-space ultrasonic waves.

11. The subsystem of claim 10, wherein said module comprises a second cell phone.

12. The subsystem of claim 10, wherein said module has a first state in which it is attached to said cell phone and a second state in which it is detached from said cell phone.

13. The subsystem of claim 12, wherein said module is a component selected from the group consisting of at least one earpiece and at least one mouthpiece.

14. The subsystem of claim 13, wherein said module includes a pair of earpieces that provide stereo broadcast therefrom.

15. The subsystem of claim 12, wherein said module includes a capacitor for providing electrical power thereto, and said cell phone includes a battery for charging said capacitor when said module is attached to said cell phone.

16. A subsystem comprising

a first electronic module including a first communications unit, and

a second electronic module including a second communications unit for communicating with said first unit,

said second module has a first state in which it is attached to said first module and a second state in which it is detached from said first module,

said second module includes a capacitor for providing electrical power thereto, and said first module includes a battery for charging said capacitor when said second module is attached to said first module.

17. The subsystem of claim 16, wherein said second module further includes a sensor.

18. The subsystem of claim 16, wherein said communication link is selected from the group consisting of an electromagnetic wave link and an ultrasonic wave link.

19. The subsystem of claim 18, wherein said links are free-space links.

20. The subsystem of claim 18, wherein said electromagnetic link comprises electrical contacts in first and second modules, which contacts establish said link when said first module is attached to said second module.