Apparatus for communicating signals

• US 20110014872A1
• Filed: 07/16/2009
• Published: 01/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gary Wayne Langham
• Original Assignee: Gary Wayne Langham
• Inventors: Langham, Gary Wayne
• Application Number:
  US12/460,296
• Publication Number:
  US 20110014872A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.3
• 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 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface

Abstract

An apparatus for use communicating signals from a first device to a second device is disclosed herein, the apparatus including a receiver and circuitry disposed within a housing. The receiver is configured to receive a wireless signal from a first device, the circuitry causing playback of the wireless signal using the second device. Optionally, the apparatus can include a microphone for receiving voice input and a transmitter for transmitting the voice input to the first device for further transmission.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use communicating signals from a first device to a second device, the apparatus comprising:

a housing configured to removably engage the second device;

a receiver disposed within the housing, wherein the receiver is configured to receive a wireless signal from the first device; and

circuitry disposed within the housing, wherein the circuitry causes playback of the wireless audio signal from the first device using the second device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a microphone for receiving voice input from a user; and

a transmitter in communication with the microphone, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the voice input to the first device for further wireless transmission, and wherein the circuitry is adapted to cause transmission of the voice input from the microphone to the first device.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first device comprises a cellular telephone, a portable computer, a portable audio device, a portable video device, or combinations thereof.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second device comprises audio speakers in communication with a vehicle-based audio system, a non-portable audio system, or combinations thereof.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the housing engages an auxiliary port of the vehicle-based audio system.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second device comprises audio speakers and a display apparatus.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a cylindrical shape or a rectangular shape.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuitry comprises a processor in communication with computer instructions for instructing the processor to convert the wireless signal to a format usable for playback by the second device.

9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the circuitry comprises a processor in communication with computer instructions for instructing the processor to convert the voice input to a format usable for receiving, transmitting, or combinations thereof, by the first device.

10. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an input member usable to selectively:

provide power to the apparatus, cause playback of the wireless signal using the second device, cease playback of the wireless signal while transmitting the voice input, establish recognition between the apparatus and a wireless device, or combinations thereof.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the audio circuitry is adapted to automatically cease playback of a first wireless signal when a second wireless signal is received.

12. A method for communicating audio signals from a first device to a second device, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an apparatus in communication with the second device, wherein the apparatus comprises a receiver and circuitry;

receiving, by the receiver, a first wireless signal from the first device;

communicating the first wireless signal from the apparatus to the second device; and

causing playback of the first wireless signal by the second device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the apparatus further comprises a microphone and a transmitter, the method further comprising the steps of:

receiving, by the microphone, a voice input; and

communicating the voice input from the apparatus to the first device.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of providing the apparatus in communication with the second device comprises engaging the apparatus with an auxiliary port of a vehicle-based audio system.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of communicating the first wireless signal from the apparatus to the second device comprises converting the first wireless signal to a format usable for playback by the second device.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of communicating the voice input from the apparatus to the first device comprises converting the voice input to a format usable for receipt, transmission, or combinations thereof, by the first device.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of receiving a second wireless signal from the first device and automatically ceasing playback of the first wireless signal.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of establishing recognition between the apparatus and the first device.

19. An apparatus for use communicating audio signals from a wireless device to a vehicle-based device, the apparatus comprising:

a housing in removable engagement with the vehicle-based device;

a receiver disposed within the housing, wherein the receiver is in wireless communication with the wireless device for receiving a wireless signal from the first device;

a microphone disposed within the housing for receiving voice input from a user;

a transmitter disposed within the housing in communication with the microphone and in wireless communication with the wireless device, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the voice input to the wireless device for further wireless transmission; and

circuitry disposed within the housing, wherein the circuitry is configured to cause playback of the wireless signal from the wireless device using the vehicle-based device and to cause transmission of the voice input from the microphone to the wireless device.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the circuitry comprises a processor in communication with computer instructions for instructing the processor to convert the wireless signal to a format usable for playback by the second device, to convert the voice input to a format usable for receiving, transmitting, or combinations thereof, by the wireless device, or combinations thereof.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the circuitry is adapted to automatically cease playback of a first wireless signal when a second wireless signal is received.