System and method for providing hands free operation of a phone
First Claim
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.
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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.
29 Citations
22 Claims
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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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. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
Specification