Corded to uncorded telephone conversion kit

• US 6,049,701 A
• Filed: 01/07/1998
• Issued: 04/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Corporation
• Inventors: Sparksman, Steven William
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Lee
• Application Number:
  US09/003,748
• Time in Patent Office: 825 Days
• Field of Search: 455/74.1, 455/74, 455/462, 455/572, 455/573, 455/575, 455/90, 455/95, 455/100, 455/346, 455/349, 455/41
• US Class Current: 455/74.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724

Abstract

A kit for converting to cordless operation a telephone having a corded handset and a base unit, the base unit having a handset connector jack and a handset receiving cradle for matingly cradling the handset and the corded handset having a housing, a microphone, a speaker, and a cord for electrically connecting the handset to the handset jack. The kit includes a module having a fastener for fixing the module in mating engagement with the base unit and a connector for electrically connecting the module to the handset jack. An uncorded handset mating with the handset receiving cradle is provided, the uncorded handset having a housing generally matching that of the corded handset. The module and uncorded handset exchange signals via radio transmitters and receivers and contain switches responsive to cradling and uncradling of the uncorded handset so that the converted telephone operates as if the uncorded handset remained connected by a handset cord to the base, while the overall shape and configuration of the telephone is preserved.

Claims

1. A kit for converting to cordless operation a telephone having a corded handset and a base unit, the base unit having a handset connector jack and a handset receiving cradle for matingly cradling the handset, the corded handset having a housing, a microphone, a speaker, and a cord for electrically connecting the handset to the handset jack, the kit comprising:

a module matingly engageable with the base unit and having a connector for electrically connecting the module to the handset jack; and

an uncorded handset mating with the handset receiving cradle, the uncorded handset having a housing generally matching that of the corded handset and including therewithin a microphone and a speaker spaced from one another at opposite ends of the handset and facing the base unit when the handset is cradled on the cradle and a battery,

the module including an electromagnetic transmitter transmitting signals obtained from the handset jack,

the uncorded handset including an electromagnetic receiver for receiving, amplifying, and conveying to the speaker signals transmitted by the module, an electromagnetic transmitter for transmitting signals obtained from the microphone, and a permanent magnet, and

the module including an electromagnetic receiver for receiving, amplifying and providing signals transmitted by the uncorded handset to the handset jack, and a magnetic field responsive switch responsive to a magnetic field of the permanent magnet in the uncorded handset, wherein the switch opens to supply power to the electromagnetic transmitter and receiver in the module with removal of the uncorded handset from the cradle, thereby removing the magnetic field of the permanent magnet from the proximity of the switch, and wherein the switch closes to stop the supply of power to the electromagnetic transmitter and receiver in the module with re-cradling of the uncorded handset in the cradle, thereby placing the magnetic field of the permanent magnet within the proximity of the switch.

2. The kit as defined in claim 1 wherein the module additionally comprises a fastener for fixing the module in mating engagement with the base unit.

3. A kit for converting to cordless operation a telephone having a corded handset and a base unit, the base unit having a handset connector jack and a handset receiving cradle for matingly cradling the handset, the corded handset having a housing, a microphone, a speaker, and a cord for electrically connecting the handset to the handset jack, the kit comprising:

a module matingly engagable with the base unit and having a connector for electrically connecting the module to the handset jack; and

an uncorded handset mating with the handset receiving cradle, the uncorded handset having a housing generally matching that of the corded handset and including therewithin a microphone and a speaker spaced from one another at opposite ends of the handset and facing the base unit when the handset is cradled on the cradle and a rechargeable battery,

the module including an electromagnetic transmitter for transmitting signals obtained from the handset jack,

the uncorded handset including an electromagnetic receiver for receiving, amplifying and conveying to the speaker signals transmitted by the module, an electromagnetic transmitter for transmitting signals from the microphone, a switch by which power to the electromagnetic transmitter and receiver is turned on by removal of the uncorded handset from the cradle and turned off by re-cradling of the handset in the cradle, and an inductive power receiver connected to the battery,

the module including an electromagnetic receiver for receiving, amplifying and providing signals transmitted by the uncorded handset to the handset jack, a switch by which power to the electromagnetic transmitter and receiver in the module is turned on by the removal of the uncorded handset from the cradle and turned off by the re-cradling of the uncorded handset in the cradle, and an inductive power transmitter that is turned on when the electromagnetic transmitter and receiver in the module are turned off,

wherein the uncorded handset power switch turns off the electromagnetic transmitter and receiver in the uncorded handset when an induced current rises above a preselected level in the inductive power receiver and turns on the electromagnetic transmitter and receiver in the uncorded handset when the induced current in the inductive power receiver drops below a preselected level.

4. The kit as defined in claim 3 wherein the kit additionally comprises at least two antennas, one of which antennas is connected to a selected one of the electromagnetic transmitter and receiver in the module and is contained within the module and the second of which antennas is connected to a selected one of the electromagnetic transmitter and receiver in the uncorded handset and is contained within the uncorded handset and wherein the electromagnetic transmitters and receivers transmit and receive radio waves.

5. An improvement to a kit for converting to uncorded operation a telephone having a corded handset and a base unit, the base unit having a handset connector jack and a handset receiving cradle for matingly cradling the handset, the corded handset having a housing, a microphone, a speaker, and a cord for electrically connecting the handset to the handset jack, the kit having a module with a connector for electrically connecting the module to the handset jack, an uncorded handset having a housing and including therewithin a microphone and a speaker spaced from one another at opposite ends of the handset and facing the base unit when the handset is cradled on the cradle and a battery, the module including an electromagnetic transmitter for transmitting signals obtained from the handset jack, the uncorded handset including an electromagnetic receiver for receiving, amplifying, and conveying to the speaker the signals transmitted by the module and an electromagnetic transmitter for transmitting signals obtained from the microphone, the module including an electromagnetic receiver for receiving, amplifying, and providing the signals transmitted by the uncorded handset to the handset jack, and wherein the improvement comprises:

the module matingly being engageable with the base unit;

the uncorded handset having a housing generally matching that of the corded handset and mating with the handset receiving cradle, a switch, and a permanent magnet; and

the module having a magnetic field responsive switch responsive to a magnetic field of the permanent magnet in the uncorded handset;

wherein the switch opens to supply power to the electromagnetic transmitter and receiver in the module with removal of the uncorded handset from the cradle, thereby removing the magnetic field of the permanent magnet from the proximity of the switch, and wherein the switch closes to stop the supply of power to the electromagnetic transmitter and receiver in the module with re-cradling the uncorded handset in the cradle, thereby placing the magnetic field of the permanent magnet within the proximity of the switch.

6. The improvement as defined in claim 5 wherein the module additionally comprises a fastener for fixing the module in mating engagement with the base unit.

7. The improvement as defined in claim 5 wherein the improvement additionally comprises at least two antennas, one of which antennas is connected to a selected one of the electromagnetic transmitter and receiver in the module and is contained within the module and the second of which antennas is connected to a selected one of the electromagnetic transmitter and receiver in the uncorded handset and is contained within the uncorded handset and wherein the electromagnetic transmitters and receivers transmit and receive radio waves.

8. An improvement to a telephone having a corded handset and a base unit, the base unit having a handset connector jack and a handset receiving cradle for matingly cradling the handset, the corded handset having a housing, a microphone, a speaker, and a cord for electrically connecting the handset to the handset jack,

the improvement comprising:

a module in mating engagement with the base unit and a connector electrically connecting the module to the handset jack; and

an uncorded handset mating with the handset receiving cradle, the uncorded handset having a housing generally matching that of the corded handset and including therewithin a microphone and a speaker spaced from one another at opposite ends of the handset and facing the base unit when the handset is cradled on the cradle and a rechargeable battery,

the module including an electromagnetic transmitter for transmitting signals obtained from the handset jack,

the uncorded handset including an electromagnetic receiver for receiving, amplifying, and conveying to the speaker the signals transmitted by the module, an electromagnetic transmitter for transmitting signals obtained from the microphone, a switch, and an inductive power receiver connected to the battery, and

the module including an electromagnetic receiver for receiving, amplifying, and providing the signals transmitted by the uncorded handset to the handset jack and an inductive power transmitter that is turned on when the electromagnetic transmitter and receiver in the module are turned off,

wherein the uncorded handset power switch turns off the electromagnetic transmitter and receiver in the uncorded handset when an induced current rises above a preselected level in the inductive power receiver and turns on the electromagnetic transmitter and receiver in the uncorded handset when the induced current in the inductive power receiver drops below a preselected level.

9. The improvement as defined in claim 8 additionally comprising at least two antennas, one of which antennas is connected to a selected one of the electromagnetic transmitter and receiver in the module and is contained within the module and the second of which antennas is connected to a selected one of the electromagnetic transmitter and receiver in the uncorded handset and is contained within the uncorded handset and wherein the electromagnetic transmitters and receivers transmit and receive radio waves.

10. A telephone comprising:

a base unit, the base unit having a handset connector jack and a handset receiving cradle;

a module matingly engageable with the base unit and having a connector for electrically connecting the module to the handset jack; and

an uncorded handset mating with the handset receiving cradle, the uncorded handset including therewithin a microphone and a speaker spaced from one another at opposite ends of the handset and facing the base unit when the handset is cradled on the cradle and a battery,

the module including an electromagnetic transmitter for transmitting signals obtained from the handset jack,

the uncorded handset including an electromagnetic receiver for receiving, amplifying, and conveying to the speaker the signals transmitted by the module and an electromagnetic transmitter for transmitting signals obtained from the microphone and a permanent magnet, and

the module including an electromagnetic receiver for receiving, amplifying, and providing the signals transmitted by the uncorded handset to the handset jack, and a magnetic field responsive switch responsive to a magnetic field of the permanent magnet in the uncorded handset,

wherein the switch opens to supply power to the electromagnetic transmitter and receiver in the module with removal of the uncorded handset from the cradle, thereby removing the magnetic field of the permanent magnet from the proximity of the switch, and wherein the switch closes to stop the supply of power to the electromagnetic transmitter and receiver in the module by recradling the uncorded handset in the cradle, thereby placing the magnetic field of the permanent magnet within the proximity of the switch.

11. The telephone as defined in claim 10 wherein the module additionally comprises a fastener for fixing the module in mating engagement with the base unit.

12. The improvement as defined in claim 10 additionally comprising at least two antennas, one of which antennas is connected to a selected one of the electromagnetic transmitter and receiver in the module and is contained within the module and the second of which antennas is connected to a selected one of the electromagnetic transmitter and receiver in the uncorded handset and is contained within the uncorded handset and wherein the electromagnetic transmitters and receivers transmit and receive radio waves.