Hands-free cellular phone kit

• US 6,304,764 B1
• Filed: 11/17/1999
• Issued: 10/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Priority Tech, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Priority Tech, Inc.
• Inventors: Pan, Chun H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Nay
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vuong, Quochien B.
• Application Number:
  US09/442,215
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: 455/569, 455/568, 455/572, 455/573, 455/575, 455/90, 455/99, 455/556, 455/557, 455/563, 379/420, 379/449, 379/455
• US Class Current: 455/569.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6083 by interfacing with the vehicle audio system
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface

Abstract

A hands-free system for communicating over a cellular phone connection without handling the cellular phone is provided including a powered hands-free kit to which a cellular phone is connected. The hands-free kit has an electrical circuit and connector for exchanging audio information with the cellular phone. The hands-free kit also includes a condenser microphone for receiving audio data from the user and transmitting it through the user'"'"'s cellular phone handset to a person with whom he is communicating by cellular connection. The hands-free kit may transmit through a cassette device or a FM transmitter audio information to a car stereo system such that audio information may be reproduced through the speakers of the car stereo system for excellent sound quality and versatility. Thus, one or more users may participate in a conference call utilizing the condenser microphone and stereo speakers of the car within which they are riding. The system is powered by the electrical system of a motor vehicle through the cigarette lighter and the cellular phone is also rechargeable thereby.

Claims

1. A hands-free mobile telephone kit, comprising:

a jack including an audio-FM converter, a FM transmitter circuit and a speaker, said jack connected to a mobile telephone,

wherein said jack is configured to receive, convert and transmit a first signal, which is received by said mobile telephone from a remote signal source connected over a mobile connection to the mobile telephone, to a FM receiver of an audio system for subsequent audio transmission over a speaker system connected to said audio system, and

wherein said jack is further configured to receive and transmit said first signal for audio transmission over said speaker of said jack, and

wherein said jack further comprises a switch for selecting between enabling said speaker of said jack and said speaker system of said audio system, wherein said circuit comprises;

an audio interface connected to said first microphone for receiving said first signal;

a micro-controller for processing a frequency selection input from an input device;

a frequency synthesizer for receiving frequency information from said micro-controller; and

a FM transmitter for receiving the frequency information synthesized by said frequency synthesizer, receiving said first signal from said audio interface, and transmitting said first signal at the selected frequency based on the frequency information to the FM receiver.

2. A hands-free mobile telephone kit, comprising:

a jack including an audio-FM converter, a FM transmitter circuit and a speaker, said jack connected to a mobile telephone,

wherein said jack is configured to receive, convert and transmit a first signal, which is received by said mobile telephone from a remote signal source connected over a mobile connection to the mobile telephone, to a FM receiver of an audio system for subsequent audio transmission over a speaker system connected to said audio system, and

wherein said jack is further configured to receive and transmit said first signal for audio transmission over said speaker of said jack, and

wherein said jack further comprises a switch for selecting between enabling said speaker of said jack and said speaker system of said audio system, and

wherein the transmitter is configured for transmitting at a selected one of a plurality of available FM frequencies for transmitting the first signal to the FM receiver,

wherein the jack includes a display which shows the selected frequency.

3. A hands-free mobile telephone kit, comprising:

a jack including an audio-FM converter and a FM transmitter circuit, said jack connected to a mobile telephone,

wherein said jack is configured to receive, convert and transmit a first signal, which is received by said mobile telephone from a remote signal source connected over a mobile connection to the mobile telephone, to a FM receiver of an audio system for subsequent audio transmission over a speaker system connected to said audio system, and

wherein said circuit comprises;

an audio interface connected to said first microphone for receiving said first signal;

a micro-controller for processing a frequency selection input from an input device;

a frequency synthesizer for receiving frequency information from said micro-controller; and

a FM transmitter for receiving the frequency information synthesized by said frequency synthesizer, receiving said first signal from said audio interface, and transmitting said first signal at the selected frequency based on the frequency information to the FM receiver.

4. The hand-free kit of claim 3, wherein said jack further comprises a speaker, and wherein said jack is further configured to receive and transmit said first signal for audio transmission over said speaker of said jack, and wherein said jack further comprises a switch for selecting between enabling said speaker of said jack and said speaker system of said audio system.

5. The hands-free kit of claim 3, wherein the transmitter is configured for transmitting at a selected one of a plurality of available FM frequencies for transmitting the first signal to the FM receiver.

6. The hands-free kit of claim 3, wherein the transmitter is configured for transmitting at a selected one of a continuous range of available FM frequencies for transmitting the first signal to the FM receiver.

7. The hands-free kit of claim 3, wherein the jack is further configured to hold the mobile telephone.

8. The hands-free kit of claim 7, wherein the jack is rotatably adjustable.

9. The hands-free kit of claim 8, wherein the jack is also translationally adjustable.

10. The hands-free kit of claim 7, wherein the jack is rotatably adjustable in two independent directions.

11. The hands-free kit of claim 3, further comprising a holder configured to hold the mobile telephone, said holder including an integrated speaker, wherein said holder is configured to receive and retransmit said first signal through said integrated speaker of said holder.

12. The hands-free kit of claim 11, wherein the holder includes a display which shows the selected frequency.

13. The hands-free kit of claim 11, said switch for selecting between using any of said speaker of said jack, said speaker system of said audio system, and said integrated speaker of said holder.

14. The hands-free kit of any of claims 3 or 13, wherein the switch is configured to perform said selecting function during a mobile connection without breaking the mobile connection.

15. The hands-free kit of claim 3, wherein the jack includes a display which shows the selected frequency.

16. A hands-free mobile telephone kit, comprising:

a jack including an audio-FM converter and a FM transmitter circuit, said jack connected to a mobile telephone,

wherein said jack is configured to receive, convert and transmit a first signal, which is received by said mobile telephone from a remote signal source connected over a mobile connection to the mobile telephone, to a FM receiver of an audio system for subsequent audio transmission over a speaker system connected to said audio system, and

wherein the transmitter is configured for transmitting at a selected one of a plurality of available FM frequencies for transmitting the first signal to the FM receiver, and

wherein the jack includes a display which shows the selected frequency.

18. The hands free kit of any of claims 16 or 17, wherein said circuit comprises:

an audio interface connected to said first microphone for receiving said first signal;

a micro-controller for processing a frequency selection input from an input device;

a frequency synthesizer for receiving frequency information from said micro-controller; and

a FM transmitter for receiving the frequency information synthesized by said frequency synthesizer, receiving said first signal from said audio interface, and transmitting said first signal at the selected frequency based on the frequency information to the FM receiver.

19. The hand-free kit of any of claims 16 or 17, wherein said jack further comprises a speaker, and wherein said jack is further configured to receive and transmit said first signal for audio transmission over said speaker of said jack, and wherein said jack further comprises a switch for selecting between enabling said speaker of said jack and said speaker system of said audio system.

20. The hands-free kit of claim 19, wherein the switch is configured to perform said selecting function during a mobile connection without breaking the mobile connection.

21. The hands-free kit of any of claims 16 or 17, wherein the jack is further configured to hold the mobile telephone.

22. The hands-free kit of claim 21, wherein the jack is rotatably adjustable.

23. The hands-free kit of claim 22, wherein the jack is also translationally adjustable.

24. The hands-free kit of claim 21, wherein the jack is rotatably adjustable in two independent directions.

25. The hands-free kit of claim 21, further comprising a holder configured to hold the mobile telephone, said holder including an integrated speaker, wherein said holder is configured to receive and retransmit said first signal through said integrated speaker of said holder.

26. The hands-free kit of claim 25, said switch for selecting between using any of said speaker of said jack, said speaker system of said audio system, and said integrated speaker of said holder.

27. The hands-free kit of claim 26, wherein the switch is configured to perform said selecting function during a mobile connection without breaking the mobile connection.

28. The hands-free kit of claim 25, wherein the holder includes a display which shows the selected frequency.

17. A hands-free mobile telephone kit, comprising:

a jack including an audio-FM converter and a FM transmitter circuit, said jack connected to a mobile telephone,

wherein said jack is configured to receive, convert and transmit a first signal, which is received by said mobile telephone from a remote signal source connected over a mobile connection to the mobile telephone, to a FM receiver of an audio system for subsequent audio transmission over a speaker system connected to said audio system, and

wherein the transmitter is configured for transmitting at a selected one of a continuous range of available FM frequencies for transmitting the first signal to the FM receiver, and

wherein the jack includes a display which shows the selected frequency.

29. A hands-free mobile telephone kit, comprising:

a holder for holding a mobile telephone, the holder including an audio-FM converter, a FM transmitter circuit and a speaker, said holder connected to the mobile telephone,

wherein said holder is configured to receive, convert and transmit a first signal, which is received by said mobile telephone from a remote signal source connected over a mobile connection to the mobile telephone, to a FM receiver of an audio system for subsequent audio transmission over a speaker system connected to said audio system, and

wherein said holder is further configured to receive and transmit said first signal for audio transmission over said speaker of said holder,

wherein said circuit comprises;

an audio interface connected to said first microphone for receiving said first signal;

a micro-controller for processing a frequency selection input from an input device;

a frequency synthesizer for receiving frequency information from said micro-controller; and

a FM transmitter for receiving the frequency information synthesized by said frequency synthesizer, receiving said first signal from said audio interface, and transmitting said first signal at the selected frequency based on the frequency information to the FM receiver.

30. A hands-free mobile telephone kit, comprising:

a holder for holding a mobile telephone, the holder including an audio-FM converter, a FM transmitter circuit and a speaker, said holder connected to the mobile telephone,

wherein said holder is configured to receive, convert and transmit a first signal, which is received by said mobile telephone from a remote signal source connected over a mobile connection to the mobile telephone, to a FM receiver of an audio system for subsequent audio transmission over a speaker system connected to said audio system, and

wherein said holder is further configured to receive and transmit said first signal for audio transmission over said speaker of said holder,

wherein the transmitter is configured for transmitting at a selected one of a plurality of available FM frequencies for transmitting the first signal to the FM receiver,

wherein the holder includes a display which shows the selected frequency.

31. A hands-free cellular telephone kit, comprising:

a jack including an audio-FM converter and an FM transmitter circuit, said jack connected to a cellular telephone; and

a first microphone connected to the jack, and

wherein said jack is configured to receive, convert and transmit a first signal to a FM receiver of an audio system for subsequent audio transmission over a speaker system connected to said audio system, and

wherein said jack is further configured to re-transmit a second signal to the cellular telephone which then re-transmits the second signal to a remote signal source, and

wherein said jack is configured to receive and retransmit the second signal when the cellular telephone is positioned away from the source of the second signal

wherein the jack is further configured as a holder to hold the cellular telephone,

wherein said circuit comprises;

an audio interface connected to said first microphone for receiving said first signal;

a micro-controller for processing a frequency selection input from an input device,

a frequency synthesizer for receiving frequency information from said micro-controller; and

a FM transmitter for receiving the frequency information synthesized by said frequency synthesizer, receiving said first signal from said audio interface, and transmitting said first signal at the selected frequency based on the frequency information to the FM receiver.

32. A hands-free cellular telephone kit, comprising:

a jack including an audio-FM converter and FM transmitter circuit, said jack being connected to a cellular telephone;

a first microphone connected to the jack; and

a holder configured to hold the cellular telephone, said holder including an integrated speaker, wherein said holder is configured to receive, amplify and retransmit a first signal through said integrated speaker of said holder, and

wherein said jack is configured to receive, convert and transmit a first signal to a FM receiver of an audio system for subsequent audio transmission over a speaker system connected to said audio system, said first signal being received by the cellular telephone from a remote signal source connected over a

wherein said jack is configured to retransmit a second signal to the cellular telephone for subsequent retransmission to the remote signal source, and

wherein said jack is configured to retransmit the second signal when The cellular telephone is positioned away from the source of the second signal,

wherein said circuit comprises;

an audio interface connected to said first microphone for receiving said first signal;

a micro-controller for processing a frequency selection input from an input device;

a frequency synthesizer for receiving frequency information from said micro-controller; and

a FM transmitter for receiving the frequency information synthesized by said frequency synthesizer, receiving said first signal from said audio interface, and transmitting said first signal at the selected frequency based on the frequency information to the FM receiver.

33. A hands-free cellular telephone kit, comprising:

a jack including an audio-FM converter and an FM transmitter circuit, said jack connected to a cellular telephone; and

a first microphone connected to the jack, and

wherein said jack is configured to receive, convert and transmit a first signal to a FM receiver of an audio system for subsequent audio transmission over a speaker system connected to said audio system, and

wherein said jack is further configured to re-transmit a second signal to the cellular telephone which then re-transmits the second signal to a remote signal source, and

wherein said jack is configured to receive and retransmit the second signal when the cellular telephone is positioned away from the source of the second signal, and

wherein the jack is further configured as a holder to hold the cellular

wherein the transmitter is configured for transmitting at a selected one of a plurality of available FM frequencies for transmitting the first signal to the FM receiver,

wherein the jack includes a display which shows the selected frequency.

34. A hands-free cellular telephone kit, comprising:

a jack including an audio-FM converter and FM transmitter circuit, said jack being connected to a cellular telephone;

a first microphone connected to the jack; and

a holder configured to hold the cellular telephone, said holder including an integrated speaker, wherein said holder is configured to receive, amplify and retransmit a first signal through said integrated speaker of said holder, and

wherein said jack is configured to receive, convert and transmit the first signal to a FM receiver of an audio system for subsequent audio transmission over a speaker system connected to said audio system, said first signal being received by the cellular telephone from a remote signal source connected over a cellular connection to the cellular telephone, and

wherein said jack is configured to retransmit a second signal to the cellular telephone for subsequent retransmission to the remote signal source, and

wherein said jack is configured to retransmit the second signal when the cellular telephone is positioned away from the source of the second signal, and

wherein the transmitter is configured for transmitting at a selected one of a plurality of available FM frequencies for transmitting the first signal to the FM receiver, and

wherein the jack includes a display which shows the selected frequency.

35. A hands-free cellular telephone kit, comprising:

a jack including an audio-FM converter and an FM transmitter circuit, said jack connected to a cellular telephone; and

a first microphone connected to the jack, and

wherein said jack is configured to receive, convert and transmit a first signal to a FM receiver of an audio system for subsequent audio transmission over a speaker system connected to said audio system, and

wherein said jack is further configured to re-transmit a second signal to the cellular telephone which then re-transmits the second signal to a remote signal source, and

wherein said jack is configured to receive and retransmit the second signal when the cellular telephone is positioned away from the source of the second signal, and

wherein the jack is further configured as a holder to hold the cellular telephone,

wherein said jack is configured to retransmit the second signal when the cellular telephone is positioned away from the source of the second signal, and

wherein the transmitter is configured for transmitting at a selected one of a continuous range of available FM frequencies for transmitting the first signal to the FM receiver,

wherein the jack includes a display which shows the selected frequency.

36. A hands-free cellular telephone kit, comprising:

a jack including an audio-FM convener and FM transmitter circuit, said jack being connected to a cellular telephone;

a first microphone connected to the jack; and

a holder configured to hold the cellular telephone, said holder including an integrated speaker, wherein said holder is configured to receive, amplify and retransmit a first signal through said integrated speaker of said holder, and

wherein said jack is configured to receive, convert and transmit a first signal to a FM receiver of an audio system for subsequent audio transmission over a speaker system connected to said audio system, said first signal being received by the cellular telephone from a remote signal source connected over a cellular connection to the cellular telephone, and

wherein said jack is configured to retransmit a second signal to the cellular telephone for subsequent retransmission to the remote signal source, and

wherein said jack is configured to retransmit the second signal when the cellular telephone is positioned away from the source of the second signal, and

wherein the transmitter is configured for transmitting at a selected one of a continuous range of available FM frequencies for transmitting the first signal to the FM receiver,

wherein the jack includes a display which shows the selected frequency.

37. A hands-free mobile telephone kit, comprising:

a holder for holding a mobile telephone, the holder including an audio-FM converter, a FM transmitter circuit and a speaker, said holder connected to the mobile telephone,

wherein said holder is configured to receive, convert and transmit a first signal, which is received by said mobile telephone from a remote signal source connected over a mobile connection to the mobile telephone, to a FM receiver of an audio system for subsequent audio transmission over a speaker system connected to said audio system, and

wherein said holder is further configured to receive and transmit said first signal for audio transmission over said speaker of said holder,

wherein the transmitter is configured for transmitting at a selected one of a continuous range of available FM frequencies for transmitting the first signal to the FM receiver,

wherein the holder includes a display which shows the selected frequency.