Hands free phone set with hand held remote control for controlling telephonic functions

• US 5,561,712 A
• Filed: 06/11/1992
• Issued: 10/01/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Nishihara, Toshiyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEAVER, SCOTT LOUIS
• Application Number:
  US07/896,975
• Time in Patent Office: 1,573 Days
• Field of Search: 379/56, 379/57, 379/58, 379/61, 379/62, 379/63, 379/102, 379/142, 379/167, 379/170, 379/172, 379/185, 379/215, 379/355, 379/354, 379/356, 379/357, 379/372, 379/376, 379/387 , 379/388, 379/396, 379/441, 379/442, 379/443, 379/200, 379/188
• US Class Current: 379/355.01
• 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 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/673 the user being required to key in a code
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

As shown in FIG. 1, a hands free phone set includes a main phone which includes the usual phone functions, including a main delta processing means, main memory for storing data for the main data processing means and data input means for inputting data and initiating phone operations. A remote controller includes a controller data processing means, controller memory means and command input means for inputting command data to the controller data processing means. There is a data communication means for transferring data from the main data processing means to the controller data processing means for copying data from the main memory means to the controller memory means and for transferring data in the opposite direction for control operations of the main phone.

Claims

1. A hands free phone set, comprising:

a main phone, including;

phone operating means for enabling user to dial, make, receive and end calls;

main data processing means for controlling said phone operating means;

main memory means for storing data for said main data processing means, said data including telephone numbers;

comparing means for comparing a destination telephone number with the telephone numbers stored in said main memory means; and

data input means for inputting data into said main data processing means for storage in said main memory means and for initiating operations of said phone operating means;

a remote controller for said main phone, including;

controller data processing means;

controller memory means for storing data for said controller data processing means;

command input means for inputting command data into said controller data processing means; and

data communication means for transferring data from said main data processing means to said controller data processing means so as to cause data stored in the main memory means to be copied to said controller memory means and for transferring data from said controller data processing means to said main data processing means so as to control the main data processing means and operations of said phone operating means,

wherein the remote controller includes a radio paging receiver, said paging receiver including a radio receiving circuit, a sounder, and a display, and wherein when a call alert signal has been received by the radio receiving circuit, the user is given confirmation of reception of the call alert signal by the controller data processing means of the remote controller providing activation of the sounder and by the controller data processing means of the remote controller providing display of a designated telephone number data included in the call alert signal on the display, said paging receiver being operable to provide selection of said designated telephone number data provided on the display and to send said designated telephone number data to said main phone via said data communication means by said user pushing a key of said command input means, and

wherein the remote controller includes transmitting means for transmitting said destination telephone number to said main phone, said comparing means of the main phone allowing a setting up of a telephone call to said destination telephone number if said destination telephone number matches one of said telephone numbers stored in said main memory means.

2. A hands free phone set as claimed in claim 1, wherein said data communications means includes wireless means.

3. A hands free phone set as claimed in claim 2, wherein said wireless means is an infra-red radiation data transmission system.

4. A hands free phone set as claimed in claim 2, wherein said wireless means is a radio frequency data transmission system.

5. A hands free phone set as claimed in claim 2, wherein said wireless means is an ultrasonic data transmission system.

6. A hands free phone set as claimed in claim 1, wherein said remote controller further comprises:

security code transmitting means for transmitting a security code to said main phone; and

input means for receiving a user-inputted security code; and

wherein said main phone further comprises;

second comparing means for comparing the user-inputted security code with a predetermined security code,

wherein said predetermined security code is stored in said main memory means, and

wherein if said second comparing means determines that said user-inputted security code matches said predetermined security code, said second comparing means allows the setting up of the telephone call to said destination telephone number.

7. A hands free phone set as claimed in claim 6, wherein said main phone and said remote controller each further comprise:

data scrambling means for scrambling data to be sent via said data communications channel; and

data descrambling means for descrambling data received, via said data communications channel.

8. A hands free phone set as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main phone further comprises:

a portable pocket phone, said portable pocket phone housing said phone operating means, said main data processing means, said data input means, and said main memory means;

a car adaptor for providing connection of said portable pocket phone to electronics of a vehicle;

a hands free microphone coupled to said car adaptor for inputting speech signals audibly made by said user to said portable pocket phone; and

a hands free speaker coupled to said car adaptor for outputting speech signals from the set up telephone call so as to be heard by the user.

9. A hands free phone set as claimed in claim 1, wherein said remote controller includes:

a mode key for setting, as a selected mode, said remote controller to one of an address mode and a name mode;

a telephone number key for setting said remote controller to a telephone number display mode; and

a display key for sequentially displaying data stored in said controller memory means to said display, said data stored in said controller memory means being sequentially displayed as a telephone number along with a corresponding one of an address and a name also stored in said controller memory means along with each stored telephone number based on the selected mode when the telephone number key is depressed by the user.

10. A hands free phone set as claimed in claim 1, wherein said remote controller includes:

a power key to turn said remote controller in one of an on state and an off state, said power key turning said remote controller to said off state when said remote controller is currently in said on state and the user presses said power key, said power key turning said remote controller to said on state when said remote controller is currently in said off state and the user presses said power key; and

an end key to end an existing telephone call when pressed by the user.