Connection system base part and adapter part for connecting mobile radio terminals

• US 20060276163A1
• Filed: 09/08/2004
• Published: 12/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Audioton Kabelwerk GmbH
• Original Assignee: Audioton Kabelwerk GmbH
• Inventors: Schlegel, Thomas, Cullmann, Wolfgang
• Application Number:
  US10/572,192
• Publication Number:
  US 20060276163A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/345
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6075 adapted for handsfree use in a vehicle H04M1/6058 takes precedence; arrangements for holding telephones in a vehicle B60R11/0241
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection device (1) which is used to connect mobile radio terminals (51, 52, 53) to an electronic system (2) arranged in a vehicle, and a base part (3) and an adapter part for said type of connection system. The connection system (1) comprises a base part (3) which is permanently fixed in the vehicle and one or several retaining parts (41, 42) for respectively receiving a mobile radio terminal (52, 52). The base part (3) comprises a first electric interface (11) which is connected to a signal processing device (2) arranged in the vehicle, said device performing at least partial functions of a handsfree device. The base part (3) also comprises a second mechanical and electrical interface (12) which is used to connect retaining parts (41, 42) in order to receive mobile radio terminals (51, 52), in addition to a communication device (5) for wireless communication with a mobile radio terminal (53) via a third interface (13). The communication device (5) is configured in such a manner that it communicates with the signal processing device (2) via a first interface (11) by means of a first protocol and it converts the first protocol into a third protocol in order to communicate with the mobile radio terminal (53) via a third interface (13).

Claims

1. Adapter part (43, 71, 72, 73, for a connection system (11) that that serves to connect mobile radio terminals (51, 52, 53) with electronics (2) installed in a vehicle, the connecting system (1) incorporating a base part (3) for permanent installation in the vehicle and one or a plurality of retaining parts (41, 42), each of which accommodates a mobile radio terminal (51, 52) that can be connected through a second mechanical and electrical interface (12) to the base part (3), characterized in that the adapter part (43, 71, 72, 73) incorporates:

the second mechanical and electrical interface (12) for electrical and mechanical connection to the base part (3) of the connection system (11), the second mechanical and electrical interface being an interface for the connection of retaining parts for mobile radio terminals, that incorporates a control device (45, 47) for communication through the second interface by means of a first, universal interface and for converting the first, universal protocol into a second, terminal-specific protocol; and

in that the adapter part (43) has a communication device (6) for wireless communication with a mobile radio terminal (53) through a third interface (13) and the communication device (5) parentheses is so configured that it communicates through the second interface (12) by means of a first, universal protocol and in order to communicate with the mobile radio terminal through the third interface (13) it converts the first protocol into a third protocol.

2. Adapter part (43) as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the communication device (5) is so configured that it transmits data (56) through the second interface (12) that triggers the vehicle electronics (2) and/or enables the vehicle electronics (2) to communicate with the communication device (5) by means of the first protocol.

3. Adapter part (43) as defined in claim 2, characterized in that the communication device (5) is so configured that it determines whether or not the vehicle electronics (2) communicate through the second interface (12) with the first protocol and, if this is not the case, it transmits the data (56).

4. Adapter part (43) as defined in one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the adapter part (43) has a housing that is in the form of a cover that covers the base part (6) in the area of the second electrical and mechanical interface (12).

5. Adapter part (72, 73) as defined in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter part (72, 73) incorporates an indicator device.

6. Adapter part (73) as defined in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, the adapter part (73) incorporates a keyboard

7. Adapter part (73) as defined in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter part (73) incorporates one or a plurality of input and output devices for replicating the user interface of the mobile radio terminal (53), with which the adapter part (73) communicates through the third interface (13).

8. Connection system (11) to connect mobile radio terminals (51, 52, 53) with electronics (2) installed in a vehicle, the connection system (11) incorporating a base part (3) for permanent installation in the vehicle and one or a plurality of retaining parts (41, 42), each of which accommodates a mobile radio terminal (51, 52), which can be connected to the base part (3) through a second mechanical and electrical interface (12), characterized in that the retaining part (41, 42) incorporates a control device for communication through the second interface by means of a first, universal protocol and for converting the first, universal protocol into a second, terminal-specific protocol;

in that the connection system (11) also incorporates an adapter part (43, 71, 72, 73) that incorporates the second mechanical and electrical interface (12) for electrical and mechanical connection of the adapter part (43, 71, 72, 73) to the base part (6) of the connection system (11) in place of the retaining part (41, 42); and

in that the adapter part (43, 71, 72, 73) incorporates a communication device (5) for wireless communication with a mobile radio terminal (53) through a third interface (13), and the communication device (5) is so configured that it communicates through the second interface (12) by means of the first, universal protocol and in order to communicate with the mobile radio terminal (53) through the third interface (13) it converts the first protocol into a third protocol.

9. Connection system (11) as defined in claim 8, characterized in that the base part (6) has a first electrical interface for connection to a signal processing unit that is installed within the vehicle and performs at least some of the functions of a hands-free device.

10. Base part (3) as defined in claim 9, characterized in that the second mechanical and electrical interface (12) of the base part (3) is an interface for communication by means of one or a plurality of terminal-specific protocols;

and in that the communication device (5) is so configured that that it transmits data to the signal-processing unit that triggers the signal-processing unit (2) and/or enables the signal-processing unit (2) to communicate with the communication device (5) by means of the first protocol.

11. Connection system as defined in claim 9 or claim 10, characterized in that the first electrical interface (11) is an interface for communication by means of the first, universal protocol.

12. Connection system (11) as defined in one of the claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the third interface (13) is a radio interface and the third protocol is preferably a Bluetooth protocol.