Hands-free accessory for mobile telephone

• US 20070275770A1
• Filed: 05/25/2006
• Published: 11/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Hyatt, Edward Craig
• Application Number:
  US11/440,879
• Publication Number:
  US 20070275770A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/569.200
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0214 Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position combined with translation movement H04M1/0235
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• 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 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/06 including a wireless LAN interface

Abstract

A hands-free unit mounts to the sun visor in a vehicle and communicates with a remote hands-free unit. The hands-free unit includes a solar panel that is pivotally attached to a hands-free unit. The solar panel moves between a storage position in which the solar panel lies flat against the hands-free unit, and a deployed position in which the solar panel is pivoted away from the hands-free unit. A biasing mechanism urges the solar panel to the deployed position. A latch mechanism can be provided to hold the solar panel in the storage position when the hands-free unit is not being used in a vehicle.

Claims

1. A communication device for use in a vehicle, said communication device comprising:

a. a hands-free unit adapted to be mounted in a vehicle, said hands-free unit including a communication circuit for communicating with a remote unit;

b. a solar panel providing power for the hands-free unit; and

c. a hinge mechanism pivotally connecting the solar panel to the hands-free unit so as to be movable between a storage position in which the solar panel lies flat against a surface of the hands-free unit and a deployed position in which the solar panel is pivoted away from the surface of said hands-free unit; and

d. a mounting device for mounting the hands-free unit in said vehicle.

2. The communication device of claim 1 wherein said hinge mechanism includes a biasing member to bias said solar panel to a deployed position.

3. The communication device of claim 2 wherein said biasing member comprises a spring.

4. The communication device of claim 3 further comprising a latch mechanism to secure the solar panel in the storage position.

5. The communication device of claim 1 wherein the mounting device comprises a resilient clip that engages an edge of the sun visor in a vehicle.

6. The communication device of claim 1 wherein said hinge mechanism further comprises a dampening mechanism to apply a frictional force to the hinge mechanism.

7. The communication device of claim 1 wherein said hinge mechanism further includes a detent engaging the solar panel in the deployed position.

8. A communication device for use in a vehicle, said communication comprising:

a. a hands-free unit adapted to be mounted in a vehicle, said hands-free unit including a communication circuit for communicating with a remote unit, a speaker for outputting audible signals, and a microphone for detecting audible signals;

b. a solar panel providing power for the hands-free unit;

c. a hinge mechanism pivotally connecting the solar panel to the hands-free unit so as to be movable between a storage position in which the solar panel lies flat against a surface of the hands-free unit and a deployed position in which the solar panel is pivoted away from the surface of said hands-free unit; and

d. a mounting device for mounting the hands-free unit to said sun visor.

9. The communication device of claim 8 wherein said hinge mechanism includes a biasing member to bias said solar panel to a deployed position.

10. The communication device of claim 9 wherein said biasing member comprises a spring.

11. The communication device of claim 10 further comprising a latch mechanism to secure the solar panel in the storage position.

12. The communication device of claim 8 wherein the mounting device comprises a resilient clip that engages an edge of the sun visor.

13. The communication device of claim 8 wherein said hinge mechanism further comprises a detent mechanism to apply a frictional force to the hinge mechanism.

14. The communication device of claim 8 wherein said hinge mechanism further includes a detent engaging the solar panel in the deployed position.