Integrated mobile-phone handsfree kit combining with vehicular stereo loudspeakers

• US 6,134,456 A
• Filed: 06/15/1998
• Issued: 10/17/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: E Lead Electronic Company Limited
• Original Assignee: E Lead Electronic Company Limited
• Inventors: Chen, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Thanh Cong
• Assistant Examiner(s): WYCHE, MYRON
• Application Number:
  US09/094,892
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 455/569, 455/426, 455/422, 455/556, 455/557, 455/345
• US Class Current: 455/569.2
• 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 1/6083 by interfacing with the vehicle audio system
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/13 Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles

Abstract

An integrated mobile-phone handsfree kit combined with an existing vehicular stereo system utilizes the high power and high performance audio output characteristics to provide drivers with a safe, comfortable and high quality conversation environment in vehicle. The invention comprises an existing stereo equipment with loudspeakers, and an electric power module connected to the stereo equipment to share the same power supply. The stereo equipment has a sound output wire and an electric power supply input wire. The electric power module has a handsfree kit electric circuit assembly. The handsfree kit electric circuit assembly has a sound source selecting switch unit, a power amplifier, an earphone circuit, an audio fidelity processing unit, an electric power supply unit, a sound source control unit, and an electric power supply switch. The invention makes it possible to integrate the mobile-phone handsfree kit together with a vehicular stereo system to automatically detect the sound source(from stereo or mobile-phone) and then direct the audio signal to the loudspeaker output, and therefore simplifies wiring and eliminates the needs for extra power source and loudspeakers. The integrated handsfree kit also controls the loudspeakers in different locations by applying various output powers and phase delays for each loudspeaker in order to process the audio signal and simulate the sound fields as if the sound were coming from the front to allow drivers to concentrate on traffic while in conversation via mobile-phone.

Claims

1. An integrated mobile-phone handsfree kit comprising, in combination:

a mobile-phone;

a vehicular stereo loudspeaker system including sound output loudspeakers; and

a mobile-phone handsfree kit electric circuit assembly as an interface of both an audio signal stream and a vehicular electric power supply;

the mobile-phone handsfree kit electric circuit assembly, as for the audio signal stream interface, being disposed between a sound output signal wire from the vehicular stereo loudspeaker system or from the mobile-phone and the sound output loudspeakers;

the mobile-phone handsfree kit electric circuit assembly, as for the power supply interface, being disposed between an electric power supply wire of the vehicular stereo loudspeaker system and an electric power input wire from the vehicular electric power supply system, with the mobile-phone handsfree kit electric circuit assembly sharing the same vehicular electric power supply and the sound output loudspeakers of the vehicular stereo loudspeaker system;

wherein the handsfree mobile-phone kit electric circuit assembly controls and switches the loudspeaker output between a sound source of the vehicular stereo loudspeaker system and a conversation audio source of the mobile-phone, depending on whether the mobile-phone is in communication or not; and

wherein the mobile-phone handsfree kit electric circuit assembly does not need an additional electric power supply as conventionally from a cigarette lighter plug and does not need an additional external audio output loudspeaker.

2. The integrated mobile-phone handsfree kit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mobile-phone handsfree kit electric circuit assembly comprises a sound source control unit, an electric power supply switch, an electric power supply unit, an audio fidelity processing unit, a power amplifier, a sound source selecting switch unit, and an earphone circuit;

wherein the sound source control unit detects and recognizes whether the mobile-phone is in operation for communication or not, in order to actuate the electric power supply switch;

wherein the electric power supply switch is actuated by the sound source control unit in order to turn on and turn off the vehicular electric power supply to the vehicular stereo loudspeaker system temporarily;

wherein the electric power supply unit provides electricity for the mobile-phone and also charges a battery of the mobile-phone;

wherein the the fidelity processing unit cancels an input acoustic echo and processes the audio signal stream in order to maintain high fidelity;

wherein the power amplifier amplifies an output audio signal of the mobile-phone to an acceptable sound level; and

wherein the sound source selecting switch unit is actuated by the sound source control unit in order to detect and control whether a sound source of the sound output loudspeakers is coming from the power amplifier or from the vehicular loudspeaker stereo system.

3. The integrated mobile-phone handsfree kit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mobile-phone handsfree kit electric circuit assembly comprises an adjustment/control unit controlling the sound output loudspeakers in different locations by applying various output powers and phase delays for each loudspeaker in order to process the audio signal and simulate the sound fields as if the sound were coming from the front to allow drivers to concentrate on traffic while in conversation via the mobile-phone.