Arrangement for handling a communication device

• US 7,248,901 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2002
• Issued: 07/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Andreas Peiker
• Original Assignee: Andreas Peiker
• Inventors: Peiker, Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): Urban; Edward F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen; Tu X.
• Application Number:
  US10/466,481
• Publication Number:
  US 20040087335A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,015 Days
• Field of Search: 455/557, 455/463, 455/466, 455/404.1, 455/90, 455/575, 455/550, 455/569, 455/569.2, 455/563, 455/569.1, 455/556.1, 455/575.1, 455/575.9
• US Class Current: 455/569.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0052 using screws, bolts, rivets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0071 using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0073 using key-type connections
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0078 Quick-disconnect two-parts mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0276 for rear passenger use
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6075 adapted for handsfree use in a vehicle H04M1/6058 takes precedence; arrangements for holding telephones in a vehicle B60R11/0241
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface

Abstract

An arrangement (1) is proposed for handling a communication device (2), which arrangement (1) comprises an attachment device (4) which can be used universally and is not specific to any given mobile telephone, and a device holder (3) which is specific to a mobile telephone, and which together form the complete arrangement (1) in the assembled state. In this case, the device holder (3) contains the necessary mechanical and electrical and/or electronic matching means to the respective communication device (2) that is to be used.

Claims

1. An arrangement for handling a communication device for use in a vehicle, comprising,

a device holder which holds the communication device, the device holder having an upper accommodation area comprising a shell and being geometrically and mechanically matched to a shape of the communication device and being connected to it for communication,

an attachment device adapted to be fixed to the vehicle for removably mounting the device holder to the vehicle, wherein the attachment device is free of any circuit boards and is mechanically matched to the device holder and provides a direct mechanical and electrical connection to the device holder,

an electronic circuit board within the device holder and comprising electronic components required for operation and/or control of a convenience device,

wherein universal, mechanical standardization or matching is provided for connection of the device holder to the attachment device, and universal electrical standardization and matching of the device holder to the attachment device are provided in addition to mechanical standardization and matching, and further including only electrical and/or electronic components for inputting and/or outputting speech and/or data following the attachment device.

2. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, further including a wireless communication connection between the communication device and the device holder.

3. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, further comprising different device holders and identical attachment devices for different communication devices.

4. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment device has a volume approximately ⅛

to ⅓

of the device holder volume.

5. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit board in the device holder performs matching, which is specific for the communication device, to the electrical and/or electronic components which are contained in the motor vehicle, including a microphone, a loudspeaker, a power supply and a databus.

6. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit board in the device holder for the communication device has an associated plug element for connection to a connecting plug of the communication device.

7. The arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plug element which is associated with the electronic circuit board, for connection to the communication device is arranged on a further electronic circuit board, which is connected to the first board.

8. The arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein the further electronic circuit board is connected to the first board at right angles.

9. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device holder has a connecting plug for an antenna connection for the communication device.

10. The arrangement as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a separate cable leads via the device holder and via the attachment device to the motor vehicle or to the antenna connection.

11. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device holder has a charger for an energy source for the communication device.

12. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle contains a loudspeaker, a microphone, an antenna and a power supply and the device contains electrical and electronic components operably linked to the loudspeaker, microphone, antenna and a power supply.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device holder holds the communication device in an interlocking and/or force-fitting manner.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device holder has a plug element for a power supply and/or an antenna connection.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one moving clamping jaw located on the device holder for holding the communication device.

16. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plug element which attaches in a fixed position to a wall, in particular to the inner lining of a vehicle interior, with the plug element and the shell rear face having mutually matching coupling parts for detachable mechanical and electrical connection, and the shell being designed such that, when the communication device is inserted, its contour is not exceeded in the area above the center of the communication device, and is exceeded only insignificantly in the lower area at the side, and the shell contour is lengthened by a projection which forms the lower shell area, as a result of which the shell has a slim shape, which can be gripped well, and for the communication device to be removed from it.

17. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shell has an accommodation area for the communication device, whose edge is designed to be only sufficiently high that it always remains under the upper face of the communication device when the latter is inserted.

18. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the coupling parts is arranged in the upper area of the rear face of the shell for the plug element, and the contour of the plug element does not extend beyond the contour of the shell when the latter is latched in.

19. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein an upper face of an appendix has a cover which can be removed during installation in order, when the cover is removed, a plug and an electronic circuit can be matched for a predetermined communication device.

20. An arrangement for handling a communication device for use in a vehicle comprising,

an integration unit connected to the communication device, the integration unit having a geometric and mechanical match to the communication device and being connected to it for communication,

an attachment device adapted to be fixed to the vehicle for removably mounting the integration unit, wherein the attachment device is free of any circuit boards and is mechanically matched to the integration unit and provides a direct mechanical and electrical connection to the integration unit,

an electronic circuit within the integration unit and comprising at least all the electronic components required for operation and/or control of a hands-free device or convenience device,

wherein universal, mechanical standardization and/or matching is provided for connection of the integration unit to the attachment device, and universal electrical standardization and matching of the integration unit to the attachment device are provided in addition to the mechanical standardization and matching, and further including only electrical and/or electronic components for inputting and/or outputting speech and/or data following the attachment device;

and a wireless communication connection between the communication device and the integration unit.

21. The arrangement as claimed in claim 20, wherein the convenience device is a hands-free device and/or telematics application.

22. The arrangement as claimed in claim 20, wherein the attachment device has a rest with a first plug element, with the first plug element interacting with a second plug element which is arranged on the device holder or on the integration unit, and with the attachment device comprising a universal, standardized, mechanical rest for holding the device holder or the integration unit, and of a universal, standardized plug element for making contact with the plug element of the device holder or the integration unit.

23. The arrangement as claimed in claim 22, wherein the first plug element has lines through which antenna signals, a supply current, microphone signals and loudspeaker signals pass.

24. The arrangement as claimed in claim 22, wherein the first plug element has lines through which serial or parallel control signals pass.

25. The arrangement as claimed in claim 24, wherein the lines interconnect the attachment device and a bus system in the vehicle to allow communication between the communication device and the databus to functionally integrate the communication device with the vehicle.

26. The arrangement as claimed in claim 20, wherein the attachment device is connected firmly by a screw connection and/or adhesive bonding and/or latching to a dashboard, a center console or a roof area of the vehicle.

27. The arrangement as claimed in claim 20, wherein the device holder or the integration unit further comprise a recess which at least partially engages the attachment device.

28. The arrangement as claimed in claim 20, wherein the device holder or the integration unit further comprises a projection which engages a depression present in the attachment device.

29. The arrangement as claimed in claim 20, wherein the attachment device completely covers the device holder and/or the integration unit when assembled.

30. The arrangement as claimed in claim 20, wherein the device holder or the integration unit further comprise a mobile telephone circuit on the electronic circuit board for a hands-free device.

31. The arrangement as claimed in claim 20, wherein the device holder or the integration unit further comprise apparatus and/or software for matching the level of the speech signals.

32. The arrangement as claimed in claim 20, wherein the device holder or the integration unit further comprises an interface for the attachment device and wherein the attachment device further comprises an apparatus and/or software which operates as a protocol module for the network of the vehicle, and for the communication device, and as an initialization routine for matching to the databus of the mobile telephone.

33. The apparatus as claimed in claim 20, further comprises a detachable latching connection which connects the device holder and/or the integration unit and the attachment device to one another when they are coupled.

34. The arrangement as claimed in claim 20, wherein the device holder or integration unit which is connected between the attachment device and the communication device further comprises a replaceable memory medium which stores user-specific functions which include one or more of the following, a hands-free facility, a connection for the vehicle bus, noise cancellation, echo cancellation, speech recognition, text conversion to speech and speech conversion to text.

35. The arrangement as claimed in claim 34, wherein the memory medium provides user-specific functions, which are available in the communication device including one or more of the following speech recognition, noise cancellation and echo cancellation.

36. The arrangement as claimed in claim 34, wherein the memory medium is in the form of a removable and/or rewritable memory medium including a memory board and plug-in module.

37. The arrangement as claimed in claim 34, wherein the memory medium is rewritable via a radio link.

38. The arrangement as claimed in claim 34, wherein the memory medium holds supplementary data for user-specific functions of the communication device, the device holder and the integration unit.

39. The arrangement as claimed in claim 38, wherein the user-specific functions includes an extended dictionary for text conversion to speech and/or speech conversion to text.

40. The arrangement as claimed in claim 20, wherein the attachment device has lines for one or more of the following a loudspeaker, a microphone, an antenna, a power supply, an ignition contact, a mute circuit for the audio system, data interchange for interchanging data between said communication device and a bus system which is part of the vehicle.

41. The arrangement as claimed in claim 20, wherein the device holder and/or the integration unit and the attachment device jointly form a connected unit whose dimensions are essentially the same as the dimensions of the device holder and/or of the integration unit.

42. The arrangement as claimed in claim 20, wherein the attachment device includes an attachment housing or a lower part which has a U-shaped cross section and side walls for mechanical connection to the device holder or the integration unit.

43. The arrangement as claimed in claim 20, wherein the attachment device and the device holder and/or the integration unit are mechanically and/or electrically connected by their respective longitudinal movement.

44. The arrangement as claimed in claim 22, wherein the plug elements are D-sub plugs.

45. The arrangement as claimed in claim 20, wherein the electronic circuit in either the device holder or the integration unit further comprises a plug element which connects with an associated plug element on the attachment device.

46. The arrangement as claimed in claim 45, wherein the device holder and the attachment device further comprise mechanical coupling elements, which couple to bind both together and additionally, the attachment device contains a recess wherein its mechanical coupling elements are placed and wherein the device holder, the electrical plug element of the device holder and/or integration unit are arranged in the recess and engage over the electrical plug element so that the mechanical coupling elements of the attachment device and the device holder couple.

47. The arrangement as claimed in claim 46, wherein the electrical plug elements are recessed in the operating direction with respect to the mechanical coupling elements.

48. The arrangement as claimed in claim 46, wherein the mechanical coupling elements moved with respect to one another essentially at right angles to an opening direction of the recess.

49. The arrangement as claimed in claim 46, wherein the device holder or the integration unit is connected to the attachment device by placing the device holder or the integration unit on the attachment device in the opposite direction to the opening direction of the recess, and by subsequently moving the device holder or the integration unit at right angles to the direction in which it was fitted.

50. The arrangement as claimed in claim 46, wherein the recess is arranged on a lower face of the device holder or the integration unit, with the lower face being opposite an accommodation area for the communication device.

51. The arrangement as claimed in claim 46, wherein the recess opens toward the lower face and toward a side surface of the device holder or of the integration unit.

52. The arrangement as claimed in claim 46, wherein the recess can be closed in particular by a slide and/or a flap and/or a cover.

53. The arrangement as claimed in claim 45, wherein the attachment device includes two or more parts, with at least two parts forming a cage for holding or fixing the electrical plug element, and with a further part for connection of the cage to the vehicle.

54. The arrangement as claimed in claim 20, wherein the device holder and/or the integration unit and/or the attachment device have indicating means including a display, a light-emitting diode or an optical conductor which provide information about operating states of the mobile telephone and/or of the device holder and/or of the integration unit.

55. The arrangement as claimed in claim 54, wherein the indicating means of the attachment device are arranged at the side, in an area which is visible despite the device holder and/or the integration unit being fitted.

56. The arrangement as claimed in claim 54, wherein the indicating means describe different events including an incoming call or received message, by blinking and/or illuminating at a different frequency and/or with a different intensity and/or color and/or sequence.

57. The arrangement as claimed in claim 54, wherein the indicating means are arranged in the form of a crown or ring on the attachment device.

58. The arrangement as claimed in claim 20, wherein the device holder and/or the integration unit and/or the attachment device have/has push button switches and/or sensors which initiate special facilities including emergency call, breakdown call or vehicle locking.

59. An apparatus for hands-free operation of an electronic device in a vehicle, comprising:

a device holder for mechanically holding and communicating with the electronic device, said device holder comprising a front face and an opposed rear face, said front face being geometrically and mechanically matched to the electronic device;

at least one electronic circuit board located within said device holder, said circuit board comprising all of the electronic components that are required for operation and control of the electronic device; and

an attachment device for mounting said device holder to the vehicle, said attachment device being geometrically and mechanically matched to said device holder, and providing an electrical interface and a mechanical interface that are universally compatible with a variety of device holders, each of which is geometrically and mechanically matched to a variety of specific electronic devices, respectively, wherein said attachment device is free of any circuit boards.

60. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein said attachment device mounts to said rear face of said device holder.

61. The apparatus of claim 59, further comprising a latching mechanism which requires motion in more than one dimension to mount said device holder to said attachment device.

62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the first motion of said latching mechanism is inserting said attachment device into an opening on said rear face of said device holder when mounting said device holder to said attachment device.

63. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the second motion of said latching mechanism is a sliding motion in a plane substantially parallel to a main plane of said device holder to engage said electrical interface and said mechanical interface between said device holder and said attachment device when mounting said device holder to said attachment device.

64. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein said attachment device comprises a plug element, a rest body, a flange and a baseplate.

65. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein said baseplate allows said attachment device to rotate in a plane on said baseplate when said device holder is mounted.

66. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein said attachment device further comprises a latching mechanism.

67. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein said latching mechanism is a latching pin.

68. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein said device holder comprises a control on said front face thereof that is depressed to release said latching pin.

69. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein said attachment device rotatably connects said electrical interface to said device holder.