User interface unit for telephone

• US 20070042809A1
• Filed: 04/16/2004
• Published: 02/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anders Angelhag
• Original Assignee: Anders Angelhag
• Inventors: Angelhag, Anders
• Granted Patent: US 8,195,145 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/569.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• 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

A user interface apparatus for remote control of a telephone having an input adapted for inputting telephone control signals; a display for outputting visual information, a communications unit adapted for short distance wireless signal communication; circuitry adapted to convey input telephone control signals and display control signals between the user interface apparatus and the telephone by the short distance wireless signal communication unit; wherein the circuitry is configured to adapt the input and output signals of the user interface apparatus to have the same properties as corresponding signals of the telephone.

Claims

1. A user interface apparatus for remote control of a telephone (104), characterised in input means (101B) adapted for inputting telephone control signals;

a display (101A) for outputting visual information,

communications means (102) adapted for short distance wireless signal communication;

circuitry (103) adapted to convey input telephone control signals and display control signals between the user interface apparatus (100) and the telephone (104) by means of said short distance wireless signal communication means (102); and

in that

the circuitry (103) is configured to adapt the input and output signals of the user interface apparatus to have the same properties as corresponding signals of the telephone (104).

2. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising an electrical connector (105) coupled to the circuitry (103) and adapted to connect to signal lines (107,109) from peripheral equipment (108).

3. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising mechanical attachment means (118) adapted for detachably attaching the user interface apparatus to corresponding attachment means of a holder.

4. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising mechanical attachment means (118) adapted for detachably attaching the user interface apparatus to corresponding attachment means (119) of a docking unit (110), and an electrical connector (105) coupled to the circuitry (103) and adapted to connect to a corresponding electrical connector of said docking unit (110).

5. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a docking unit (110) adapted for detachably coupling mechanical attachment means (118,119) and for electrically coupling electrical connectors (105,111) of said docking unit (110) and a user interface unit (100), respectively.

6. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further being adapted to be intermediately coupled between and conveying signals between the telephone (104) and peripheral equipment (108).

7. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further being adapted to be intermediately coupled between and conveying signals between the telephone (104) and a peripheral equipment being a hands free system (112).

8. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further being adapted to be intermediately coupled between and conveying signals between the telephone (104) and a peripheral equipment being a vehicle information system (116).

9. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further being adapted to be intermediately coupled between and conveying signals between the telephone (104) and a peripheral equipment being an entertainment system (117).

10. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further being adapted to be coupled to a peripheral equipment being a power supply (128).

11. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a connector slot (126) for a battery, said connector slot being coupled to the circuitry (103).

12. The user interface apparatus of the preceding claims 3-12, wherein the connector slot (126) is coupled to the electrical connector (105) for connecting to a charging peripheral power supply (128).

13. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a microphone (130) and a loudspeaker (132) coupled to the circuitry (103).

14. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising an input connector (134) coupled to the circuitry 103 for connecting a headset.

15. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising an adapter piece (202) configured to mechanically and electrically fit to first mechanical and electrical couplings (203, 201) of a user interface unit (200) and to second mechanical and electrical couplings (205,206) of a docking unit (204).

16. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a an adapter piece (202) having first mechanical attachment means (212) adapted for detachably attaching to corresponding first mechanical attachment means (203) of a user interface unit (100) and second mechanical attachment means (214) adapted for detachably attaching to corresponding second mechanical attachment means (206) of a docking unit.

17. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a an adapter piece (202) having a first electrical connector (208) adapted for connecting to a corresponding first electrical connector (201) of a user interface unit (100) and a second electrical connector (210) adapted for detachably attaching to a corresponding second electrical connector (205) of a docking unit.

18. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a an circuitry (103,216) configured to adapt first signals of a user interface unit (200) to second signals of peripheral equipment, and vice versa.

19. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a an adapter piece (202) having circuitry configured to adapt first signals of a user interface unit (200) to second signals of a docking unit 204.

20. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the display (101A) is touch sensitive and together with the circuitry (103) is configured to realise input keys (101B) for said input means.

21. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a portable housing (1).

22. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the short distance wireless communication means (102) is based on short distance radio communication.

23. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the short distance wireless communication means (102) is based on short distance radio communication according to the Bluetooth standard.

24. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the short distance wireless communication means (102) is based on infra red signal communication.

25. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further being adapted to provide a first mode of operation with a first set of functionality and a second mode of operation with a second set of functionality, said second set of functionality being a subset of said first set of functionality.

26. The user interface of the preceding claim, wherein said second mode of operation is activated in response to the user interface being attached to a docking unit.