Hand-held, portable electronic device with retainer port for receiving one or more attachable wireless audiophones for in situ charging

• US 8,265,326 B2
• Filed: 01/21/2008
• Issued: 09/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wireless Accessory Retaining, LLC
• Original Assignee: Sanjeev Kumar Singh
• Inventors: Singh, Sanjeev Kumar
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): Joshi, Sunita
• Application Number:
  US12/017,169
• Publication Number:
  US 20080224659A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,695 Days
• Field of Search: 381/370, 381/374, 381/376, 381/311, 381/334, 455/569.1, 455/575.2, 379/433.02, 379/433.03, 379/433.1, 379/434
• US Class Current: 381/374
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/342 The other DC source being a battery actively interacting with the first one, i.e. battery to battery charging with circuits for polarity protection H02J7/0034
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0258 for a headset device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A hand-held, portable electronic device is provided with a retainer port for removably receiving one or more attachable wireless audiophones for in situ charging of at least one of a first or second attachable wireless audiophone on the hand-held, portable electronic device. In one embodiment of the present invention, a retainer port configured to mate with a first connector of a first attachable wireless audiophone including at least one of a speaker or a microphone at a hand-held, portable electronic device having a device housing with a surface is provided. The retainer port may comprise at least one of a first or a second port socket configured for removably retaining the first attachable wireless audiophone on the hand-held, portable electronic device. The first port socket to communicatively receive the first connector of the first attachable wireless audiophone for in situ charging thereof when the hand-held, portable electronic device is connected to an electrical power source for recharging. The hand-held, portable electronic device includes a first transceiver adapted to communicate with the first attachable wireless audiophone over a short-range wireless communication link. The first attachable wireless audiophone may include a second transceiver adapted to communicate with the hand-held, portable electronic device using the short-range wireless communication link. A single charger may charge a device battery of the hand-held, portable electronic device and a battery of one or more attachable wireless audiophones in situ.

Claims

1. A hand-held, portable electronic device for use with a stereo pair of first and second attachable wireless headsets each including at least one of a speaker and a microphone, a battery and a metal connector, the hand-held, portable electronic device comprising:

a device body;

a device battery;

a power port that is configured to electrically couple to the device battery to receive charge from an electrical power source;

a charger circuitry configured to substantially simultaneously charge the device battery, said battery of the said first attachable wireless headset and said battery of said second attachable wireless headset;

a device housing that encloses the device body, said device housing having an exterior surface; and

a retainer port to removably retain said first and second attachable wireless headsets, said retainer port including;

a first electrical socket that defines a first retaining structure formed in said exterior surface of said device housing, said first retaining structure is configured to receive said metal connector of said first attachable wireless headset for storing said first attachable wireless headset substantially external to said device body of said hand-held, portable electronic device by keeping said first attachable wireless headset substantially outside of said device housing, and

a second electrical socket that defines a second retaining structure formed in said exterior surface of said device housing, said second retaining structure is configured to receive said metal connector of said second attachable wireless headset for storing said second attachable wireless headset substantially external to said device body of said hand-held, portable electronic device by keeping said second attachable wireless headset substantially outside of said device housing,

wherein said hand-held, portable electronic device includes a first transceiver adapted to communicate with said first and second attachable wireless headsets over a wireless communication link, each of said first and second attachable wireless headsets including a second transceiver adapted to communicate with said hand-held, portable electronic device using said wireless communication link, wherein said first electrical socket including;

a first cavity for retaining said first attachable wireless headset at said hand-held, portable electronic device by inserting said metal connector of said first attachable wireless headset within said first cavity, wherein said first retainer port to receive said metal connector of said first attachable wireless headset which provides charge only for in situ charging thereof at said hand-held, portable electronic device,

wherein said first attachable wireless audiophone is stored for reuse when physically connected to said hand-held, portable electronic device, and wherein said second electrical socket including;

a second cavity for retaining said second attachable wireless headset at said hand-held, portable electronic device by inserting said metal connector of said second attachable wireless headset within said second cavity, wherein said second retainer port to receive said metal connector of said second attachable wireless headset which provides charge only for in situ charging thereof at said hand-held, portable electronic device, wherein said second attachable wireless headset is stored for reuse when physically connected to said hand-held, portable electronic device,

wherein each of said first and second electrical sockets is a power pin socket that is configured to receive a power pin of a respective one of said metal connectors of said first and second attachable wireless headsets for in situ charging thereof at said hand-held, portable electronic device, and

wherein said respective one of said metal connectors of said first and second attachable wireless headsets comprise a Universal Serial Bus (USB) male connector that enables a respective one of said first and second attachable wireless headsets to receive charge at said power pin socket of said first and second attachable wireless headsets respectively of said hand-held, portable electronic device.

2. The hand-held, portable electronic device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said first and second attachable wireless headsets is a handsfree headset that comprises at least one flexible earphone and said hand-held, portable electronic device is a cell phone that includes at least one of a digital music player, a personal digital assistant, a global positioning satellite receiver, a video player, and a pocket personal computer.

3. The hand-held, portable electronic device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said first and second attachable wireless headsets is a headset configured for consumer wearing by a wireless user, each of said second transceivers of said first and second attachable wireless headsets respectively is adapted to communicate with said first transceiver of said hand-held, portable electronic device using a Bluetooth protocol for a short-range wireless communication associated with the wireless user, said hand-held, portable electronic device is a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone.

4. The hand-held, portable electronic device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first retaining structure is configured to mate with said metal connector of said first attachable wireless headset such that frictional forces developed by the contact are sufficient to maintain the metal connector in place after detachably latching said first attachable wireless headset and said second retaining structure is configured to mate with said metal connector of said second attachable wireless headset such that frictional forces developed by the contact are sufficient to maintain the metal connector in place after detachably latching said second attachable wireless headset.

5. A hand-held, portable electronic device for use with a stereo pair of left and right wireless pairing headsets, configured for consumer wearing by a wireless user, and each including an electrical connector and a battery, the hand-held, portable electronic device comprising:

a device body having first and second distal ends; and

a first retainer including a first electrical connector, said first retainer defines a first headset retaining structure formed on said first distal end of said device body for storing said left wireless pairing headset substantially external to said device body of said hand-held, portable electronic device, said first electrical connector is configured to mate with said electrical connector of said left wireless pairing headset, and

a second retainer including a second electrical connector, said second retainer defines a second headset retaining structure formed on said second distal end of said device body for storing said right wireless pairing headset substantially external to said device body of said hand-held, portable electronic device, said second electrical connector is configured to mate with said electrical connector of said right wireless pairing headset,

wherein said hand-held, portable electronic device includes a first transceiver adapted to communicate with said left and right wireless pairing headsets over a wireless communication link on a personal area network using a device-to-device short range radio frequency transmission through an air interface medium, each of said left and right wireless pairing headsets including a second transceiver adapted to communicate with said hand-held, portable electronic device using said wireless communication link on the personal area network using the device-to-device short range radio frequency transmission through the air interface medium,

wherein said first retainer to receive said electrical connector of said left wireless pairing headset which provides charge for in situ charging thereof at said hand-held, portable electronic device, wherein said left wireless pairing headset is stored for reuse when physically connected to said hand-held, portable electronic device,

wherein said second retainer to receive said electrical connector of said right wireless pairing headset which provides charge for in situ charging thereof at said hand-held, portable electronic device, wherein said right wireless pairing headset is stored for reuse when physically connected to said hand-held, portable electronic device,

wherein said electrical connector of said left wireless pairing headset is a first Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector such that the first electrical connector of the first retainer is configured to accept the first USB connector of the left wireless pairing headset, and

wherein said electrical connector of said right wireless pairing headset is a second Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector such that the second electrical connector of the second retainer is configured to accept the second USB connector of the right wireless pairing headset.

6. The hand-held, portable electronic device, as set forth in claim 5, wherein each of said left and right wireless pairing headsets is a handsfree attachable earphone including at least one of a speaker and a microphone and said hand-held, portable electronic device is a cell phone that includes at least one of a digital music player, a personal digital assistant, a global positioning satellite receiver, a video player, and a pocket personal computer.

7. The hand-held, portable electronic device, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said second transceiver of each of said left and right wireless pairing headsets is adapted to communicate with said first transceiver of said hand-held, portable electronic device using a Bluetooth protocol for a short-range wireless communication associated with the wireless user, said hand-held, portable electronic device is a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone.

8. The hand-held, portable electronic device, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said first electrical connector is a first power pin socket to receive a power pin of said electrical connector of said left wireless pairing headset for in situ charging thereof at said hand-held, portable electronic device and wherein said second electrical connector is a second power pin socket to receive a power pin of said electrical connector of said right wireless pairing headset for in situ charging thereof at said hand-held, portable electronic device.

9. The hand-held, portable electronic device, as set forth in claim 8, wherein said electrical connector of said left wireless pairing headset enables said left wireless pairing headset to receive charge at said first power pin socket of said hand-held, portable electronic device and wherein said electrical connector of said right wireless pairing headset enables said right wireless pairing headset to receive charge at said second power pin socket of said hand-held, portable electronic device.

10. The hand-held, portable electronic device, as set forth in claim 5, wherein each of said first and second USB connectors having a male connector portion such that said first headset retaining structure is configured to accept said male connector portion of said first USB connector which extends away from said left wireless pairing headset and wherein said second headset retaining structure is configured to accept said male connector portion of said second USB connector which extends away from said right wireless pairing headset.

11. The hand-held, portable electronic device, as set forth in claim 5, further comprising:

a device battery; and

a charge circuitry for charging said device battery and said battery of said left wireless pairing headset and said battery of said right wireless pairing headset.

12. The hand-held, portable electronic device, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said first headset retaining structure is configured to mate with said electrical connector of said left wireless pairing headset such that frictional forces developed by the contact are sufficient to maintain said electrical connector of said left wireless pairing headset in place after detachably latching to said left wireless pairing headset and wherein said second headset retaining structure is configured to mate with said electrical connector of said right wireless pairing headset such that frictional forces developed by the contact are sufficient to maintain said electrical connector of said right wireless pairing headset in place after detachably latching to said right wireless pairing headset.

13. The hand-held, portable electronic device, as set forth in claim 5, further comprising:

a device housing,

wherein said first headset retaining structure is configured to receive said electrical connector of said left wireless pairing headset for storing said left wireless pairing headset substantially external to said device body of said hand-held, portable electronic device by keeping said left wireless pairing headset substantially outside of said device housing,

wherein said second headset retaining structure is configured to receive said electrical connector of said right wireless pairing headset for storing said right wireless pairing headset substantially external to said device body of said hand-held, portable electronic device by keeping said right wireless pairing headset substantially outside of said device housing.

14. The hand-held, portable electronic device, as set forth in claim 13, wherein said first distal end of the device body is on a left side of the device body such that said first retainer is configured and arranged to receive said left wireless pairing headset substantially straight along the left side of the hand-held, portable electronic device and said second distal end of the device body is on a right side of the device body such that said second retainer is configured and arranged to receive said right wireless pairing headset substantially straight along the right side of the hand-held, portable electronic device.

15. A hand-held, portable electronic device for use with first and second wireless pairing headsets each of which including an integrated electrical connector and a battery, the hand-held, portable electronic device comprising:

a device body;

a device battery;

a charge circuitry for charging said device battery and said battery of said first wireless pairing headset and said battery of said second wireless pairing headset;

a first electrical connector that is configured to mate with said electrical connector of said first wireless pairing headset; and

a second electrical connector that is configured to mate with said electrical connector of said second wireless pairing headset,

wherein said hand-held, portable electronic device includes one or more transceivers adapted to wirelessly communicate with said first and second wireless pairing headsets, each of said first and second wireless pairing headsets including a second transceiver adapted to wirelessly communicate with said one or more transceivers of said hand-held, portable electronic device,

wherein said first electrical connector to provide charge for in situ charging of said first wireless pairing headset at said hand-held, portable electronic device,

wherein said second electrical connector to provide charge for in situ charging of said second wireless pairing headset at said hand-held, portable electronic device,

wherein said electrical connector of said first wireless pairing headset is a first Universal Serial Bus (USB) type connector such that the first electrical connector of the first retainer is configured to accept the first USB type connector of the first wireless pairing headset, and

wherein said electrical connector of said second wireless pairing headset is a second Universal Serial Bus (USB) type connector such that the second electrical connector of the second retainer is configured to accept the second USB type connector of the second wireless pairing headset.

16. The hand-held, portable electronic device, as set forth in claim 15, wherein said first electrical connector is configured to mate with said electrical connector of said first wireless pairing headset such that frictional forces developed by the contact are sufficient to maintain said electrical connector of said first wireless pairing headset in place after detachably latching to said first wireless pairing headset and wherein said second electrical connector is configured to mate with said electrical connector of said second wireless pairing headset such that frictional forces developed by the contact are sufficient to maintain said electrical connector of said second wireless pairing headset in place after detachably latching to said second wireless pairing headset.

17. The hand-held, portable electronic device, as set forth in claim 15, further comprising:

a device housing,

wherein said first electrical connector is configured to receive said electrical connector of said first wireless pairing headset for storing said first wireless pairing headset substantially external to said device body of said hand-held, portable electronic device by keeping said first wireless pairing headset substantially outside of said device housing,

wherein said second electrical connector is configured to receive said electrical connector of said second wireless pairing headset for storing said second wireless pairing headset substantially external to said device body of said hand-held, portable electronic device by keeping said second wireless pairing headset substantially outside of said device housing.

18. The hand-held, portable electronic device, as set forth in claim 17, wherein the device body having first and second sides such that said first electrical connector is disposed on the first side of the device body to receive said first wireless pairing headset substantially on the first side of the hand-held, portable electronic device and said second electrical connector is disposed on the second side of the device body to receive said second wireless pairing headset substantially on the second side of the hand-held, portable electronic device.

19. The hand-held, portable electronic device, as set forth in claim 15, wherein each of said first and second wireless pairing headsets is a handsfree attachable earphone including at least one of a speaker and a microphone and said hand-held, portable electronic device is a cell phone that includes at least one of a digital music player, a personal digital assistant, a global positioning satellite receiver, a video player, and a pocket personal computer.

20. The hand-held, portable electronic device, as set forth in claim 15, wherein said first electrical connector is a first power pin socket to receive a power pin of said electrical connector of said first wireless pairing headset for in situ charging thereof at said hand-held, portable electronic device and wherein said second electrical connector is a second power pin socket to receive a power pin of said electrical connector of said second wireless pairing headset for in situ charging thereof at said hand-held, portable electronic device.