Adapter for a modular wireless communication device

• US 7,340,221 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2004
• Issued: 03/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wikel, Harold L., Godston, Jon
• Primary Examiner(s): Sobutka; Philip J.
• Application Number:
  US10/940,180
• Publication Number:
  US 20060057973A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,267 Days
• Field of Search: 455/575.2, 455 901- 903, 455/41.2, 455/41.3
• US Class Current: 455/90.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3855 carried in a belt or harness
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3866 carried on the head
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/05 specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection

Abstract

An adapter for a modular wireless communication device. The adapter can include a lanyard, a cradle coupled to the lanyard, the cradle configured to support a short range wireless communication module, the cradle including an audio plug configured to provide a connection to the short range wireless communication module when the short range wireless communication module is coupled to the cradle, a microphone coupled to the lanyard and the audio plug, and a speaker coupled to the lanyard and the audio plug.

Claims

1. A short range wireless communication module apparatus comprising:

a lanyard including a flexible cord;

a cradle coupled to the flexible cord, the cradle including

a first cradle end;

a second cradle end, the first cradle end and the cradle second end configured to retain the short range wireless communication module; and

an audio plug coupled to the second cradle end, the audio plug electrically coupled to the short range wireless communication module when the short range wireless communication module is retained by the first cradle end and the second cradle end;

a microphone electrically coupled to the audio plug; and

a speaker electrically coupled to the audio plug,

wherein the short range wireless communication module accessory further comprises the short range wireless communication module detachably coupled to the cradle, the short range wireless communication module including a short range wireless transceiver,

wherein the short range wireless communication module configured to wirelessly communicate with another wireless communication device only using short range peer-to-peer wireless communication signals using the short range wireless transceiver, and

wherein the short range wireless communication module further includes a female audio input and output port coupled to the audio plug when the short range wireless communication module is coupled to the cradle.

2. The short range wireless communication module apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first cradle end comprises a flexible portion having a first position and a second position the first position allowing insertion of the short range wireless communication module and the second position retaining the short range wireless communication module after it is inserted into the cradle.

3. The short range wireless communication module apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, when in the second position, the flexible portion includes

a first pin extending into the cradle inner portion from the second cradle end;

and

a second pin extending into the cradle inner portion from the second cradle end.

4. The short range wireless communication module apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexible cord comprises

a first cord end;

a second cord end; and

a connector coupled to the first cord end and the second cord end, the connector configured to detach the first cord end from the second cord end when a force is applied to the lanyard.

5. The short range wireless communication module apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a speaker holder coupled to the flexible cord, the speaker holder configured to detachably couple the speaker to the flexible cord.

6. A lanyard comprising:

a flexible cord;

a cradle coupled to the flexible cord, the cradle including

a first cradle end at one end of the cradle;

a second cradle end at an opposite end of the cradle from the first cradle end;

a cradle inner portion partially encompassed by the first cradle end and the second cradle end; and

an audio plug coupled to the first cradle end, the audio plug extending into the cradle inner portion;

a microphone electrically coupled to the audio plug;

a speaker electrically coupled to the audio plug; and

a short range wireless communication module detachably coupled to the cradle, the short range wireless communication module including a short range wireless transceiver,

wherein the short range wireless communication module configured to wirelessly communicate with another wireless communication device only using short range peer-to-peer wireless communication signals using the short range wireless transceiver, and

wherein the short range wireless communication module further includes a female audio input and output port coupled to the audio plug when the short range wireless communication module is coupled to the cradle.

7. The lanyard according to claim 6, wherein the second cradle end includes a flexible portion having a first position and a second position, wherein the flexible portion bends from the first position to the second position.

8. The lanyard according to claim 7, wherein, when in the first position, the flexible portion includes

a first pin extending into the cradle inner portion from the second cradle end;

and

a second pin extending into the cradle inner portion from the second cradle end.

9. The lanyard according to claim 6, wherein the flexible cord comprises

a first cord end;

a second cord end; and

a connector coupled to the first cord end and the second cord end, the connector configured to detach the first cord end from the second cord end when a force is applied to the lanyard.

10. The lanyard according to claim 6, further comprising a speaker holder coupled to the flexible cord, the speaker holder configured to detachably couple the speaker to the flexible cord.