Communication device with multiple detachable communication modules

• US 7,313,423 B2
• Filed: 11/06/2001
• Issued: 12/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: Infanti, James C., Lazaridis, Mihal, Griffin, Jason T., Edmonson, Peter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): WEST, LEWIS G
• Application Number:
  US10/416,322
• Publication Number:
  US 20040063456A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,240 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.2, 455/41.3, 455/575.2, 455/575.1, 455/550.1, 455/557, 455/90.3, 455/572, 455/573
• US Class Current: 455/575.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0258 for a headset device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface

Abstract

A communication device having multiple detachable communication modules includes a first communication module and a second communication module. The first communication module is configured to receive RF signals from a wireless network. The second communication module may be physically attached to the first communication module and is coupled to the first communication module by a wireless link. The second communication module is configured to receive the RF signals from the first communication module over the wireless link and to convert the RF signals into an audible signal. In addition, the second communication module is physically dimensioned so that it may be fitted into or onto an ear of a communication device user.

Claims

1. A communication device, comprising:

a first communication module comprising a housing with a cavity defined therein and a set of charging terminals located within the cavity, wherein the charging terminals are coupled to a power source; and

a second communication module comprising an outer housing, a speaker attached to the outer housing and physically dimensioned to be fitted into an ear of a communication device user, a microphone attached to the outer housing and positioned to extend substantially towards the communication devise use'"'"'s mouth when the speaker is fitted into the ear of the communication device user, a rechargeable power source, and a set of terminals attached to a bottom surface of the outer housing and coupled to the rechargeable power source, wherein the second communication module is physically dimensioned to be detachably mounted within the cavity of the first communication module such that the terminals on the second communication module are physically and mechanically coupled to the charging terminals while the second communication module is mounted within the cavity in order to charge the rechargeable power source;

wherein the second communication module further comprises a set of operational terminals attached to a to surface of the outer housing and coupled to the rechargeable power source, wherein the second communication module may be mounted in the cavity of the first communication module in either an inoperative position in which the charging terminals in the cavity are coupled to the terminals attached to the bottom surface of the outer housing, or an operative position in which the charging terminals in the cavity are coupled to the operational terminals attached to the top surface or the outer housing.

2. The communication device of claim 1, wherein terminals are recessed below a surface of the outer housing of the second communication module.

3. The communication device of claim 2, wherein the charging terminals located within the cavity of the first communication module protrude from a surface of the cavity in order to physically contact the recessed terminals in the second communication module.

4. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the power source coupled to the charging terminals in the first communication module is a power supply circuit coupled to a rechargeable power source.

5. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the power source coupled to the charging terminals in the first communication module is a power supply circuit coupled to a non-rechargeable power source.

6. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the first communication module further comprises a second set of charging terminals, wherein the second set of charging terminals are coupled to the operational terminals of the second communication module while the second communication module is mounted in the operative position.

7. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the power source in the first communication module is a rechargeable power source, and wherein the first communication module is configured to be electrically and mechanically coupled to a third module in order to charge the rechargeable power source.

8. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the cavity in the first communication module is substantially enclosed such that the second communication module is detachably mounted within the cavity by sliding the second communication module lengthwise into the cavity.