ELECTRICAL ACCESSORY AND METHOD OF PROVIDING SAME

• US 20090186583A1
• Filed: 01/06/2009
• Published: 07/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Belkin International Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Belkin International Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Lane, Steve, Seil, Oliver Duncan, Camacho, Abraham, DeJong, Chad, Ferdman, Kelly
• Granted Patent: US 8,295,770 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/66.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0054 using cigarette lighter
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• 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 1/6091 including a wireless interface

Abstract

Some embodiments disclose an electrical accessory configured to transmit one or more first data signals from a first electrical device to a receiving device. The electrical accessory is also configured to transmit second data signals to the first electrical device. The first electrical device can include a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector. The electrical accessory can include: (a) a power acquisition unit configured to receive electrical power from an external power source; (b) a first electrical interface electrically coupled to the power acquisition unit and configured to mechanically and electrically couple to the first connector to provide the electrical power to the first electrical device; (c) a second electrical interface configured to mechanically and electrically couple to the second connector, the second electrical interface is configured to transmit the second data signals to the first electrical device and to receive the first data signals from the first electrical device; (d) a transmittal mechanism electrically coupled to the second electrical interface and configured to provide the first data signals to the receiving device; and (e) a first microphone electrically coupled to the second electrical interface and configured to receive sounds and convert the sounds into the second data signals. Other embodiments are disclosed in this application.

Claims

1. An electrical accessory configured to transmit one or more first data signals from a first electrical device to a receiving device, the electrical accessory configured to transmit second data signals to the first electrical device, the first electrical device comprising a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector, the electrical accessory comprising:

a power acquisition unit configured to receive electrical power from an external power source;

a first electrical interface electrically coupled to the power acquisition unit and configured to mechanically and electrically couple to the first connector to provide the electrical power to the first electrical device;

a second electrical interface configured to mechanically and electrically couple to the second connector, the second electrical interface is configured to transmit the second data signals to the first electrical device and to receive the first data signals from the first electrical device;

a transmittal mechanism electrically coupled to the second electrical interface and configured to provide the first data signals to the receiving device; and

a first microphone electrically coupled to the second electrical interface and configured to receive sounds and convert the sounds into the second data signals.

2. The electrical accessory of claim 1, wherein:

the transmittal mechanism comprises;

a radio frequency transmitter configured to wirelessly provide the first data signals to the receiving device.

3. The electrical accessory of claim 2, wherein:

the transmittal mechanism further comprises;

an antenna.

4. The electrical accessory of claim 2, further comprising:

a holder configured to hold the first electrical device; and

a semi-rigid elongated portion configured to allow a position of the holder to be semi-permanently adjusted relative to a position of the power acquisition unit,

wherein;

the semi-rigid elongated portion is further configured to radiate the first data signals received from the radio frequency transmitter.

5. The electrical accessory of claim 2, wherein:

the transmittal mechanism further comprises;

a third electrical interface configured to mechanically and electrically couple to the receiving device.

6. The electrical accessory of claim 1, wherein:

the power acquisition unit comprises;

a cigarette lighter adapter; and

a deformable resilient member circumscribing a portion of the power acquisition unit.

7. The electrical accessory of claim 1, further comprising:

a holder configured to hold the first electrical device, the holder comprising the first electrical interface.

8. The electrical accessory of claim 7, wherein:

the holder further comprises;

a base portion comprising the first electrical interface;

at least one extension portion extending away from the base portion;

at least one support configured to provide support to the first electrical device.

9. The electrical accessory of claim 8, wherein:

the at least one extension portion comprises;

a first extension; and

a second extension adjustably coupled to the first extension such that a distance between the base portion and the at least one support can be adjusted within a predetermined range.

10. The electrical accessory of claim 8, wherein:

the base portion further comprises;

electrical device controls for at least partially operating the first electrical device.

11. The electrical accessory of claim 10, wherein:

the electrical device controls comprises a single button;

the single button is configured to begin and end a telephone call on the electrical device; and

the single button is further configured to signal to the electrical device to play, pause, fast forward, and rewind audio being played on the electrical device.

12. The electrical accessory of claim 1, wherein:

the first electrical interface comprises a thirty-pin connector; and

the second electrical interface comprises a TSR connector.

13. The electrical accessory of claim 1, wherein:

the transmittal mechanism comprises;

a TSR output connector configured to provide the first data signals to the receiving device.

14. An electrical apparatus configured to couple to an electrical device, the electrical apparatus comprising:

a cradle for holding the electrical device;

a first coupling configured to transmit electrical power to the electrical device;

a second coupling configured to transmit first data to the electrical device and receive second data from the electrical device;

a first control configured to at least partially operate the electrical device;

a cigarette lighter adapter electrically coupled to the first coupling;

a gooseneck mechanically coupling the holder to the cigarette lighter adapter;

a microphone electrically coupled to the second coupling and configured to provide the first data to the first coupling; and

a transmitter electrically coupled to the second coupling, the transmitter is configured to transmit the second data from the electrical device to an external speaker system.

15. The electrical apparatus of claim 14, wherein:

the microphone is located at the holder.

16. The electrical apparatus of claim 14, wherein:

the microphone is located at the cigarette lighter adapter.

17. The electrical apparatus of claim 14, wherein:

the transmitter comprises a radio frequency transmitter.

18. The electrical apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:

one or more second controls configured to operate the transmitter; and

a display configured to display information related to the transmitter and the second data.

19. The electrical apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:

a TSR output connector;

a universal serial bus connector; and

a microphone input port.

20. The electrical apparatus of claim 14, wherein:

the first coupling comprises a thirty-pin connector; and

the second coupling comprises a TSR connector.

21. The electrical apparatus of claim 14, wherein:

the gooseneck is electrically coupled to the transmitter and comprises an antenna for the transmitter.

22. The electrical apparatus of claim 14, wherein:

the first control comprises a single button;

the single button is configured to begin and end a telephone call on the electrical device; and

the single button is further configured to signal to the electrical device to play, pause, fast forward, and rewind audio being played on the electrical device.

23. An electrical device configured to couple to a media device, the electrical device comprising:

a first coupling configured to transmit first data to the media device and receive second data from the media device;

a first control configured to at least partially operate the media device;

a microphone electrically coupled to the first coupling and configured to provide the first data to the first coupling;

a transmitter electrically coupled to the first coupling, the transmitter is configured to transmit the second data received from the media device to an external speaker system;

a first housing at least partially enclosing the transmitter, the first housing comprising a first coupling mechanism;

a cigarette lighter adapter configured to couple to an external electrical power source and configured to provide electrical power to at least the microphone, the transmitter, and the first control; and

a second housing at least partially enclosing the cigarette lighter adapter, the second housing comprising a second coupling mechanism,

wherein;

the first coupling mechanism is configured to couple to the second coupling mechanism such that the first housing is supported by the second housing.

24. The electrical device of claim 23, wherein:

the microphone is located at the first housing.

25. The electrical device of claim 23, wherein:

the microphone is located at the second housing.

26. The electrical device of claim 23, wherein:

the transmitter comprises a radio frequency transmitter.

27. The electrical device of claim 23, further comprising:

one or more second controls configured to operate the transmitter; and

a display configured to display information related to the transmitter and the second data.

28. The electrical device of claim 23, further comprising:

a TSR output connector;

a universal serial bus connector; and

a microphone input port.

29. The electrical device of claim 23, wherein:

the first coupling is a TSR connector.

30. A method of providing an electrical accessory, the method comprising:

providing a power acquisition unit configured to receive power from an external power source;

providing a first electrical interface such that the first electrical interface can be mechanically and electrically coupled to a first connector of a first electrical device;

electrically coupling the first electrical interface to the power acquisition unit;

providing a second electrical interface such that the second electrical interface can be mechanically and electrically coupled to a second connector of the first electrical device to transmit first data signals to the first electrical device and to receive second data signals from the first electrical device;

providing a transmittal mechanism such that the transmittal mechanism can provide the second data signals to a receiving device;

electrically coupling the transmittal mechanism to the second electrical interface;

providing a first microphone such that the first microphone can receive sounds and convert the sounds into the first data signals; and

electrically coupling the first microphone to the second electrical interface.