System and method for providing hands free operation of a phone

• US 7,120,476 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2003
• Issued: 10/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John Yoo
• Original Assignee: John Yoo
• Inventors: Yoo, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Vuong, Quochien B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rego, Dominic E.
• Application Number:
  US10/375,609
• Publication Number:
  US 20040185919A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,321 Days
• Field of Search: 455/564, 455/569.1, 455/575.2, 455/450, 455/430, 455/575.1, 455/90.1, 455/351, 379/430, 379/428.01, 379/433.01, 379/428.02
• US Class Current: 455/575.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0258 for a headset device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/05 specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6058 involving the use of a headset accessory device connected to the portable telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection

Abstract

A phone handset having a speaker and a microphone which are connected by a flexible connector to form a connected unit, wherein the connected unit is detachable from the handset to form a headset. In a preferred embodiment, the connected unit is automatically releasable from the handset via a release means, which when activated, forcibly inserts the speaker of the connected unit into a user'"'"'s ear when a hands-free mode is desired. The connected unit may be physically and electrically connected to the handset via a retractable cord, or may comprise a wireless headset device. An apparatus according to the present invention advantageously provides vastly improved convenience in hands-free phone operation and uninterrupted phone conversation during user transitions between a handset mode and a hands-free mode and vice versa.

Claims

1. A communication apparatus comprising:

a phone handset comprising a flip-down mobile phone having a hinge, the handset having;

a molded cavity disposed on a front keypad face;

a single speaker and a single microphone connected to one another via a connector to form a connected unit being receivable within the molded cavity, the connector including a joint region for allowing the connector to conform to the hinge of the flip-down mobile phone during opening and closing of said flip-down mobile phone, the connected unit for use in a handset mode in which the single speaker and the single microphone are embedded within said molded cavity disposed on said front keypad face, and in a headset mode, in which said connected unit is detachable from the phone handset to provide a hands-free headset wearable by a user; and

a release mechanism located on a side face of the phone handset for automatically detaching the connected unit from the handset and inserting the speaker directly into the user'"'"'s ear canal when the user places the handset to the ear.

2. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connector is comprised of a flexible material.

3. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connected unit includes a flexible ear hook for placement over the user'"'"'s outer ear to secure the headset onto the user.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the handset further includes an additional shaped molded cavity disposed on said front keypad face adapted for receiving the ear hook therein.

5. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the phone handset includes a fastening mechanism for securing the connected unit onto the handset.

6. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the headset wirelessly communicates with the phone handset during operation.

7. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the headset is physically and electrically connected to the phone handset via a cord.

8. The communication apparatus of claim 7, wherein the cord is retractable within a retractable cord unit on the phone handset.

9. A method for alternating between a handset mode and a hands-free mode during operation of a phone, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a phone handset comprising a flip-down mobile phone having a hinge, the handset having a molded cavity disposed on a front keypad face, a release mechanism located on a side face of the phone handset, and a single speaker and a single microphone connected to one another via a connector to form a connected unit receivable within the molded cavity, the connector including a joint region for allowing the connector to conform to the hinge of the flip-down mobile phone during opening and closing of said flip-down mobile phone;

embedding the connected unit within said molded cavity for using the phone in a handset mode; and

detaching the connected unit from the front keypad face of the phone by activating the release mechanism for using the phone in a headset mode.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the connector is comprised of a flexible material.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of providing a flexible ear hook attached to said connected unit for placement over the user'"'"'s outer ear to secure the headset onto the user.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of providing an additional shaped molded cavity disposed on said front keypad face adapted for receiving the ear hook therein.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of providing a fastening mechanism for securing the connected unit onto the handset.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of wirelessly communicating between the phone handset and the connected unit.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the headset includes a physical and electrical connection to the phone handset via a cord.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the method further includes retracting the cord within a retractable cord unit on the phone handset.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein when the handset mode is desired, further comprising the steps of placing the handset adjacent to the user'"'"'s ear canal while aligning the connected unit with the molded cavity and applying pressure to the handset to forcibly insert the connected unit within the molded cavity.

18. A system for alternating between a handset mode and a hands-free mode during operation of a phone without interrupting a user'"'"'s conversation, the system comprising:

a phone handset comprising a flip-down mobile phone having a hinge, the handset having a molded cavity disposed on a front keypad face, and a single speaker and a single microphone connected to one another via a connector to form a connected module being receivable within the molded cavity, the connector including a joint region for allowing the connector to conform to the hinge of the flip-down mobile phone during opening and closing of said flip-down mobile phone, the connected module for use in a handset mode in which the single speaker and the single microphone are embedded within said molded cavity disposed on said front keypad face, and in a headset mode in which said connected module is detachable from the phone handset to provide a hands-free headset wearable by a user.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein when the handset mode is desired the handset is placed adjacent to the user'"'"'s ear canal while aligning the connected module with the molded cavity and pressure is applied to the handset to forcibly insert the connected module within the molded cavity.

20. The system of claim 18, further comprising a flexible ear hook attached to said connected module for placement over the user'"'"'s outer ear to secure the headset onto the user.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the handset further includes an additional shaped molded cavity disposed on said front keypad face adapted for receiving the ear hook therein.

22. The system of claim 18, further comprising a release button located on a side face of the phone handset for providing automatic detachment of the connected module from the handset when deployed to automatically insert the speaker into the ear canal of the user when the user places the handset to the ear for use of the connected module in the headset mode.