Portable communications device with wireless transmitter and detachable earpiece including a wireless receiver

• US 5,881,149 A
• Filed: 09/06/1996
• Issued: 03/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Weatherill, Neil K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiang, Jack
• Application Number:
  US08/702,641
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 379/433, 379/434, 379/428, 379/420, 379/430, 379/449, 379/447, 455/89, 455/90
• US Class Current: 379/433.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/05 specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6033 for providing handsfree use or a loudspeaker mode in telephone sets arrangements for preventing acoustic echo H04M9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for receiving and/or sending communication signals and consists of at least two parts, a first detachable part and a second, body part. The first part can be moved to an in use position whereby the same is placed on or to the ear of the user to allow information received via the communication signals to be listened to via a speaker in the part. The part includes a receiver to receive communication signals from either or both of the body part which in turn receives signals from a remote point or directly from the remote point. The first part is physically separated from the body part in use and therefore no wire, cable or other physical connections are required therefor providing considerable advantage over known two part communication devices all of which require some form of physical connection. The body part can include a device for transmitting communication signals.

Claims

1. A portable communication device, comprising a first part and a second part, the first part being retained by the second part when not in use but being readily detached from the second part when in use, wherein the first part includes wireless receiving means for reception of a communication signal and speaker means for audio reproduction of a received communication signal, the first part being in the form of an ear piece self supportable on the ear of a user of the device without contacting any other portion of the user'"'"'s head;

and a second part constituted by the body of said device exclusive of said first part, said second part including wireless transmission means for transmitting a communication signal to the wireless receiving means of the first part and means including a first microphone for conversion of sound into a communication signal and a second, auxiliary microphone which is more sensitive than the first microphone and becomes effective upon detachment of said first part from the second part;

there being no transmission means in said first part, whereby said first part is sufficiently compact and light to be supported on the user'"'"'s ear following detachment from said second part.

2. A portable communication device according to claim 1, wherein the first part further includes retaining means for keeping it in contact with the user'"'"'s ear.

3. A portable communication device according to claim 2, wherein the second part has a storage location therein for the first part, and said retaining means retracts when the first part is placed in said storage location.

4. A portable communication device according to claim 1, wherein when the first part is not in use it is attached to the second part in a storage location thereon.

5. A portable communication device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving means in said first part is for wireless reception of a communication signal transmitted by the transmission means in said second part, said second part including further receiving means for wireless reception of a communication signal from an external source, and said second part also including means for emitting sound or light when a communication signal is received by said further receiving means and means for relaying said received communication signal to said first part immediately or following storage thereof in said second part.

6. A portable communication device according to claim 5, wherein the second part further comprises a memory for intermediate storage of a received signal and from which the stored signal can be relayed to the first part when the first part is placed on the ear of the user.

7. A portable communication device according to claim 1, wherein the second part is comprised in a computer and the first part is detachably affixed to said computer when the device is not in use.

8. A portable communication device according to claim 7, wherein the receiving means in the first part is for reception of communication signals generated by said computer.

9. A portable communication device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving means in the first part is further adapted to receive communication signals transmitted thereto from an external source.

10. A portable communication device according to claim 1, further comprising control means for selecting as between operation of either of said microphones.

11. A portable communication device according to claim 4, wherein the second, auxiliary microphone is disposed adjacent the storage location and is covered by the first part when in the storage location and is uncovered and effective when the first part has been detached.