Telephone handset for hands-free use in an auto mobile

• US 5,749,057 A
• Filed: 11/03/1995
• Issued: 05/05/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Takagi, Kotaro
• Primary Examiner(s): MacDonald, Allen R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RICHARDSON, SCO
• Application Number:
  US08/552,864
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 379/58, 379/430, 379/420, 379/455, 455/89, 455/569, 455/570, 455/575
• US Class Current: 455/569.2
• 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

Abstract

A portable telephone which solves problems conventionally associated with using a portable telephone together with a hands-free accessory is disclosed. When the portable telephone is being used on its own and a microphone arm thereof is in a home position, the portable telephone can be put in a waiting state wherein it can receive incoming calls. When the portable telephone is being used on its own and the microphone arm is in a pulled-out position, telephone conversations can be had using a microphone and a speaker built into the portable telephone. When the portable telephone is connected to a hands-free accessory and the microphone arm is in its home position, conversations can be had in a hands-free mode using a microphone and a speaker connected to the hands-free accessory. When the portable telephone is connected to a hands-free accessory and the microphone arm is in its pulled-out position, conversations can be had in a normal mode using the microphone and the speaker built into the portable telephone even though the portable telephone is connected to the hands-free accessory. As a result, no special key for mode changeover between the hands-free mode and the normal mode need be provided either on the portable telephone side or on the hands-free accessory side, nor is it necessary to perform a two-step key pressing operation to effect mode changeover.

Claims

1. A telephone handset for hands-free use in an automobile comprising:

a handset including

a microphone activated in a first mode;

a speaker activated in said first mode;

an arm having said microphone mounted thereon and being changeable from a first position to a second position;

position detection means for detecting a position of said arm;

switch means for switching between a use status or a non-use status of said microphone and speaker according to said first mode; and

control means for determining whether a status of the telephone apparatus is said first mode;

an accessory apparatus for connection to said handset via a detachable connector, wherein said accessory apparatus includes a radio frequency antenna for communicating a transmitted signal from said handset;

accessory connecting detecting means for detecting whether said accessory apparatus is connected to said handset wherein said control means determines whether the telephone is in said first mode depending on the output of the accessory connecting detecting means and the position detecting means; and

a magnet located at a predetermined position on said arm, and wherein

said position detection means includes magnetic field detection means located at a position corresponding to a position of said magnet when said arm is in said first position.

2. A telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein

said arm position is changeable between said first position and said second position by rotating around a predetermined axis at an end of said arm.

3. A method of communication comprising steps of:

detecting if a first unit is connected with an accessory apparatus;

determining a mode that determines whether a first set of a microphone and a speaker housed within said first unit is used or a second set of a microphone and a speaker housed within said accessory apparatus is used including detecting a status of a microphone arm of said first unit;

detecting a connection status of said accessory apparatus to said first unit;

operating the first unit in a waiting mode if said accessory apparatus is not connected;

operating the first unit with a fail safe function if an actuating key thereof is operated during the waiting mode;

selecting said first or second set of a microphone and a speaker according to said mode determined in said step of determining;

establishing a connection between said accessory apparatus and a telephone network in a predetermined manner;

communicating audio signals between said first unit and said accessory apparatus, whereby said audio signals are modulated according to a predetermined format by said first unit;

communicating said modulated signals to said accessory apparatus; and

communicating with said telephone network in a predetermined manner using said modulated signals.