Communication Device With Multiple Detachable Communication Modules

• US 20080090626A1
• Filed: 12/04/2007
• Published: 04/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: James Infanti, Jason Griffin, Mihal Lazaridis, Peter Edmonson
• Inventors: Griffin, Jason, Infanti, James, Lazaridis, Mihal, Edmonson, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 7,979,035 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/575.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• 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 1/0258 for a headset device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface

Abstract

A wireless communication device has a docking cavity, a short-range transceiver, and a long-range transceiver for long-range wireless communication with a wireless network. A wireless communication module includes a speaker and a microphone, and a short-range transceiver for short-range wireless communication with the device'"'"'s short-range transceiver. The module is configured to operate in first and second modes. In the first mode, the module is separated from the communication device. In the second mode, the module is mounted in the cavity. In both modes, communication between a user and the network is conducted through the module'"'"'s microphone and speaker, both short-range transceivers and the long-range transceiver.

Claims

1. A communication apparatus comprising:

a wireless communication device having a docking cavity, a short-range transceiver, and a long-range transceiver for long-range wireless communication with a wireless network; and

a wireless communication module including a speaker and a microphone, and a short-range transceiver for short-range wireless communication with the device'"'"'s short-range transceiver;

the module being configured to operate in a first mode in which the module is separated from the communication device, and in a second mode in which the module is mounted in the cavity, wherein in both modes, communication between a user and the network is conducted through the module'"'"'s microphone and speaker, both short-range transceivers and the long-range transceiver.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the module is configured to be, in the first mode, removably mounted to the user'"'"'s head.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the module is configured to be, in the first mode, supported by the user'"'"'s ear.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the module is configured to be, in the first mode, recharged by the device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the module is further configured to operate in a third mode in which the module is mounted in the cavity and is inoperative for conducting communication between the user and the device.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein, in the second mode the module is oriented such that the module'"'"'s speaker faces away from the device, and in the third mode the module is oriented such that the module'"'"'s speaker faces into the device'"'"'s cavity.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the module is configured to be, in the third mode, recharged by the device.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device includes a microphone and a speaker for audio communication with the user.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device includes a cover configured to cover the cavity when the module is in its second configuration.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device is a handheld device.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said device is a first device, and further comprising a second wireless communication device that is configured for short-range wireless communication with the module'"'"'s short-range transceiver.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the second device is configured for wired communication with a wired network.

13. A communication apparatus comprising:

a device having a docking cavity; and

a wireless communication module including a speaker, a microphone and a transceiver, and configured to operate in first, second and third modes;

in the first mode, the module is separated from the device and conducts communication through the speaker, the microphone and the transceiver; and

in the second mode, the module is mounted in the docking cavity and is oriented with the speaker facing away from the device and conducts communication through the speaker, the microphone and the transceiver; and

in the third mode, the module is mounted in the device'"'"'s cavity and oriented with the speaker facing into the cavity and is inoperative for conducting a communication.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein, in the third mode, the module is recharged by the device.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein, also in the third mode, the module is recharged by the device.

16. A communication apparatus comprising:

a communication module including a microphone, a speaker and a short-range transceiver;

a wireless communication device that includes a microphone, a speaker, a short-range transceiver for short-range wireless communication with the module'"'"'s short-range transceiver, and a long-range transceiver for long-range wireless communication with a wireless network; and

a wired communication device configured for wired communication with a wired network, and including a short-range transceiver for short-range communication with the module'"'"'s short-range transceiver;

the apparatus being configured for first, second and third modes of operation;

in the first mode, communication between a user and the wireless network is conducted through the wireless device'"'"'s microphone, speaker and long-range transceiver;

in the second mode, communication between the user and the wireless network is conducted through the module'"'"'s microphone, speaker and short-range transceiver and through the wireless device'"'"'s short-range transceiver and long-range transceiver; and

in the third mode, communication between the user and the wired network is conducted through the module'"'"'s microphone, speaker and short-range transceiver, and through the wired communication device'"'"'s short-range transceiver.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the wired communication device includes a personal computer.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the wireless communication device is a cellular phone.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the wireless communication device includes a computer.

20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the wireless communication device includes a cavity configured to receive the module.