Conformant compact portable cellular phone case system and connector

• US 5,517,683 A
• Filed: 01/18/1995
• Issued: 05/14/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cycomm Corporation (Cycomm International, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cycomm Corporation (Cycomm International, Inc.)
• Inventors: Collett, Gordon C., Rose, Donald T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Chi H.
• Application Number:
  US08/374,926
• Time in Patent Office: 482 Days
• Field of Search: 455/33.1, 455/89, 455/90, 455/128, 455/344, 455/348-351, 379/58, 379/441, 379/446-450, 379/454, 379/455
• US Class Current: 455/575.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/16 for telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/034 Portable transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3827 Portable transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3833 Hand-held transceivers
• 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: H04B 1/40 Circuits
• 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 1/0264 for a camera module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/03 Constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. telephone hand-sets
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7246 by connection of exchangeable housing parts

Abstract

A compact portable cellular telephone extension that provides additional electronic functions is implemented in a case attachable to a first external surface of the cellular phone to form a physically integral unit. A connector is supported by the case and couples the extension electronics to the cellular phone electronics. The connector connects through a second external surface of the cellular phone that lies in a plane different from the plane of the first external surface. A speaker arm extends from the case and supports a speaker unit. The speaker arm is positionable in a first position adjacent a third external surface of the cellular phone and in a second position away from the third external surface allowing the case to be readily attached and detached.

Claims

1. Apparatus couplable to a compact portable cellular telephone to provide additional electronic functions, said apparatus comprising:

a) a case attachable to a first external surface of said compact portable cellular telephone to form a physically integral unit, said case housing electronic means for performing a predetermined signal processing function;

b) a connector supported by said case and coupling said electronic means to said compact portable cellular telephone, said connector connecting to said compact portable cellular telephone through a second external surface of said compact portable cellular telephone that lies in a plane offset from the plane of said first external surface; and

c) a speaker arm extending positioned above said case and supporting a speaker unit, said speaker arm being positionable in a first position adjacent a third external surface of said compact portable cellular telephone and in a second position away from said third external surface allowing said case to be readily attached and detached from said compact portable cellular telephone.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

a) said case provides an attachment surface for the attachment of a rechargeable battery so as to allow assembly of said physically integral unit, said case including power connectors for conducting power between said rechargeable battery and said compact portable cellular telephone through said electronic means; and

b) said connector connects with an insertion type connector on said compact portable cellular telephone, said connector and said electronic means operating in combination to enable the conduction of power to said compact portable cellular telephone and the communication of data signals between said electronic means and said compact portable cellular telephone.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a vertical arm rotatably coupled to said speaker arm and fixedly coupled to said case, said vertical arm including means for establishing a fixed distance between said speaker arm and said case so as to accommodate a predetermined range of vertical heights of said compact portable cellular telephone.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said case has an opening formed through said case to permit the insertion of a PCMCIA card and wherein said electronic means includes a PCMCIA interface, a microprocessor system coupled to said PCMCIA interface for integrating the function of said PCMCIA card with said signal processing function of said electronic means.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said electronic means includes a microprocessor system that provides for the transform of data between a first format and a second format, said microprocessor system being coupled to said connector to permit the transfer of data of said second format with said compact portable cellular telephone.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 or 5 further comprising a data port coupled between said microprocessor system and a data connector mounted within said case and accessible through an external surface of said case that is exposable when said compact portable cellular telephone, said rechargeable battery, and said case are assembled to form a physically integral unit, said data port providing for the transfer of data of said first format.

7. Apparatus providing control and signal processing support functions for a compact portable cellular telephone system having circuitry for providing internal cellular telephone control and signal processing functions, a mechanical and electrical power interface for the connection of a rail mounted rechargeable battery to a first external surface of said compact portable cellular telephone system and an electronic connection receptacle for receiving an insertion type connector and which provides predetermined communication access to said internal cellular telephone control and signal processing functions and which is provided at a second external surface of said compact portable cellular telephone system, said apparatus comprising:

a) a case conformant to said first and second surfaces of said compact portable cellular telephone system, said case having first rails and power contacts permitting the rail mounting of said case to said mechanical and electrical interface, said case having second rails and power contacts permitting the rail mounting of said rechargeable battery to said case;

b) a speaker arm connected to said case at one end of said speaker arm, said speaker arm including a speaker at a second end of said speaker arm, said speaker arm including a flexible arm section between said first and second ends and permitting said second end to be positioned in close opposition to a third external surface of said compact portable cellular telephone system;

c) a microphone mount connected to said case and including a microphone; and

d) a fixed connector extending from said case opposite said second external surface of said compact portable cellular telephone system, said connector being supported by said case to permit limited flexion of said connector to consistently enable insertion of said connector into said receptacle upon rail mounting of said case to said compact portable cellular telephone system.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a printed circuit board housed in said case and supporting an electrical circuit system coupled internally to transfer power from said rechargeable battery between said first and second mechanical and electrical power interfaces, said connector including means for enabling said transfer of power and the communication of data between said compact portable cellular telephone system and said electrical circuit system.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said flexible arm section permits the vertical positioning of said first end conformally with respect to said third external surface of said compact portable cellular telephone system.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said flexible arm section permits the rotational positioning of said speaker arm between a first position conformal with respect to the adjacent external surfaces of said compact portable cellular telephone system and a second position that permits the ready rail mounting of said case to said compact portable cellular telephone system.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said case has an opening formed through said case to permit the insertion of a PCMCIA card and wherein said electronic means includes a PCMCIA interface, a microprocessor system coupled to said PCMCIA interface for integrating the function of said PCMCIA card with said signal processing function of said electronic means.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, 9, or 10 further comprising a microprocessor system and a data interface provided on said printed circuit board, said data interface being coupled to at least one of the set of a video data interface, an audio data interface, a data port and a PCMCIA interface, said microprocessor system providing for the processing of data transferred between said circuitry for providing internal cellular telephone control and signal processing functions of said compact portable cellular telephone system and said data interface.