Supporting and connecting a portable phone

• US 6,341,218 B1
• Filed: 12/06/1999
• Issued: 01/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cellport Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cellport Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Delianides, Kathryn D., Poplawsky, Ralph C., Wilkinson, James T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ferguson, Keith
• Application Number:
  US09/454,506
• Time in Patent Office: 778 Days
• Field of Search: 455/90, 455/575, 455/550, 455/569, 455/128, 455/345, 455/346, 455/347, 455/351, 455/348, 455/127, 455/572, 455/573, 455/99, 379/426, 379/433, 379/446, 379/455, 379/454, 379/420, 379/428
• US Class Current: 455/569.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0071 using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0078 Quick-disconnect two-parts mounting means
• 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 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface

Abstract

An adaptor for supporting and connecting a portable electronic device, such as a portable phone, computer or other wireless communication device. The adaptor includes a pocket member and an interface module. The portable phone mechanically and electrically connects to the pocket member, and the pocket member mechanically and electrically connects to the interface module. The mechanical and electrical connections between the pocket member and the interface module are common between any interface module and any pocket member. In contrast, the receiving section of the pocket member is varied between different pocket members to accommodate portable electronic devices having different physical constructions. The pocket member attaches to the interface module with a limited, one-dimensional movement of the pocket member relative to the interface module to optimize use of space, particularly in vehicles. The pocket member and interface module may further include electrical components to enhance the functionality of the portable electronic device and the safety in operating the portable electronic device while driving by providing hands-free operation of the portable electronic device in addition to hands-free voice and data communication.

Claims

1. An adaptor for hands-free operation of a portable phone, comprising:

an interchangeable pocket member having a receiving section and a mounting section, said receiving section adapted to receive a portable phone, said pocket member also having a latching mechanism to retain said portable phone in said receiving section, a first connector interfacing with the electronics of the portable phone, and a second connector interfacing with the electronics of an interface module;

an interface module having a receiving section configured to mate with said mounting section of said pocket member, a latching mechanism to retain said pocket member in said receiving section and a connector interfacing with said second connector of said pocket member,

wherein said interchangeable pocket member is received and removed from said receiving section of said interface module by movement of said pocket member in a substantially single dimension, and continued movement of said pocket member toward said interface module in said substantially single dimension mechanically and electronically interconnects said pocket member and said interface module.

2. The adaptor of claim 1, wherein said pocket member and said interface module include complementary registration members for aligning said mounting section of said pocket member with said receiving section of said interface module.

3. The adaptor of claim 1, further comprising a latching mechanism which secures said pocket member to said interface module and which is activated by movement of said pocket member relative to said interface module.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said interface module further includes a memory device for receiving and storing data input.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said pocket member further includes a memory device for receiving and storing data input.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said data input can be in the form of an analog signal, a digital signal or sound waves.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said interface module is disposed within a vehicle and interconnects the portable electronic device to the audio system of the vehicle to provide enhanced audio capabilities to the user.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said interface module is disposed within a vehicle and interconnects the portable electronic device to a microphone.

9. An adaptor for hands-free operation of a portable phone, comprising:

a pocket member having a receiving section and a mounting section, said receiving section disposed on the front of said pocket member and adapted to receive a portable phone, a first latching mechanism disposed within said pocket member to secure the portable phone within said receiving section, said mounting section disposed on the back of said pocket member and having a plurality of apertures for engagement with second latching mechanism in an interface module, a first connector interfacing with the electronics of the interface module, and a second connector interfacing with the electronics of the portable phone;

an interface module having a receiving section disposed on the front of said interface module and configured to mate with said mounting section of said pocket member, a second latching mechanism independent of said first latching mechanism to retain said pocket member in said receiving section and movable between a first position in which the pocket member is engaged by said latching mechanism, and a second position in which said pocket member is not engaged by said latching mechanism and comprising a plurality of latch members disposed for alignment with said apertures of said mounting section of said pocket member when said pocket member is mated with said interface module, and a connector interfacing with said first connector of said pocket member;

wherein when said mounting section of said pocket member is seated within said receiving section of said interface module said latch members extend through said apertures and move from said first position to said second position to secure said interface module to said pocket member.

10. The adaptor of claim 9, further comprising a memory device within said pocket member for recording voice input.

11. The interface module of claim 9, further comprising a spring member for biasing said latching mechanism toward said first position.

12. The interface module of claim 9, further comprising a release mechanism for holding said latching mechanism in said second position.

13. The adaptor of claim 12, wherein said latching mechanism is resilient such that said pocket member can be removed from said interface module without activation of said release mechanism and said latching mechanism will still function to latch said pocket member to said interface module.

14. The interface module of claim 12, further comprising an engagement member for engaging said release mechanism and retaining said latching mechanism in said second position.

15. The interface module of claim 14, wherein said release mechanism comprises a release tab and a shelf member.

16. The interface module of claim 9, further comprising a release mechanism for moving said latching mechanism from said first position to said second position.

17. The adaptor of claim 9, wherein said pocket member and said interface module include complementary registration members for aligning said mounting section of said pocket member within said receiving section of said interface module.

18. The adaptor of claim 9, wherein said latching mechanism includes at least one latch tab which is disposed within said interface module when said latching mechanism is in the first position and which engages said pocket member when said latching mechanism is in the second position.

19. The adaptor of claim 18, wherein said latching mechanism comprises a plurality of latch tabs and at least one latch tab is positionally offset from another latch tab.

20. The adaptor of claim 19, wherein said plurality of latch tabs are configured to overcome manufacturing tolerances and mechanically secure said pocket member to said interface module.

21. The adaptor of claim 9, wherein said pocket member connects with said interface module by a limited, one-dimensional movement of either said pocket member or said interface module relative to the other.

22. The adaptor of claim 9, wherein said latching mechanism precludes rotational engagement or disengagement of said pocket member and said interface module, thereby protecting the electrical connection between said pocket member and said interface module.

23. An adaptor for hands-free operation of a portable electronic device with electronics for voice and/or data communications within a vehicle, comprising:

a pocket member having a receiving section and a mounting section, said receiving section adapted to receive said portable electronic device, said pocket member also having a latching mechanism to retain said portable electronic device in said receiving section, and a first connector interfacing with the electronics of the portable electronic device, and a second connector moveable in two dimensions and interfacing with the electronics of the interface module; and

,

an interface module mounted to said vehicle, said interface module having a receiving section configured to mate with said mounting section of said pocket member, a latching mechanism to retain said pocket member in said receiving section, and a connector electronically interfacing with said second connector of said pocket member and with systems resident within the vehicle;

wherein when a portable electronic device is secured to said pocket member said first connector is moveable to facilitate interconnection with the personal electronic device and to facilitate interconnection with said second connector when said pocket member is secured to said interface module.

24. The adaptor of claim 23, wherein the portable electronic device can receive power from the power system of the vehicle for purposes of operating the portable electronic device or charging a battery within the portable electronic device.

25. The adaptor of claim 23, further including ventilation means associated with at least said interface module for allowing air flow in and out of said interface module.

26. The adaptor of claim 25, wherein said ventilation means includes air vents disposed in the body of said interface module.

27. The adaptor of claim 25, wherein said latching member includes a latch release member disposed proximate the external surface of said interface module and said ventilation means includes an air passage adjacent said latch release member.

28. The adaptor of claim 23, wherein said portable electronic device includes a portable phone.

29. The adaptor of claim 23, wherein said mounting section of said pocket member and said receiving section of said interface module align the electrical connectors that provide electrical connection between said pocket member and said interface module.

30. The adaptor of claim 23, wherein said receiving section of said interface module includes a raised portion which interfaces with said pocket member to facilitate alignment between said pocket member and said interface module and to control activation of said latching mechanism of said interface module.

31. An adaptor for hands-free operation of a portable phone, comprising:

a pocket member having a height that defines a first axis, a width that defines a second axis and a depth that defines a third axis with each of said three axes being perpendicular to the other two axes, said pocket member including a receiving section and a mounting section, said receiving section adapted to receive a portable phone, said pocket member also having a latching mechanism to retain the portable phone in said receiving section, a first connector interfacing with the electronics of the interface module and a second connector interfacing with the electronics of the portable phone;

an interface module, separate from said pocket member and having a receiving section configured to mate with said mounting section of said pocket member upon movement of said pocket member in a direction substantially parallel to said third axis, a latching mechanism, independent of said latching mechanism of said pocket member, to retain said pocket member in said receiving section and a connector interfacing with said first connector of said pocket member,

wherein the portable phone is seated within said receiving section of said pocket member by movement of the portable phone in at least in a direction substantially parallel to said first axis and said pocket member is received and removed from said receiving section of said interface module by movement of said pocket member in a direction substantially parallel to said third axis.

32. The adapter of claim 31, wherein said latching mechanism of said interface module moves between a first position wherein said pocket member is not secured to said interface module and a second position in which said pocket member is secured to said interface module and the direction of movement of said latching mechanism is in a direction substantially parallel to said second axis.

33. A system of interchangeable adaptors for hands-free operation of a portable phone, comprising:

a plurality of pocket members each having a receiving section and a mounting section, said receiving section adapted to receive a portable phone of a particular configuration, said pocket member also having a latching mechanism to retain the portable phone in said receiving section, a first connector interfacing with the electronics of the portable phone, and a second connector interfacing with the electronics of an interface module;

an interface module having a receiving section configured to mate with said mounting section of said pocket member, a latching mechanism to retain said pocket member in said receiving section and a connector interfacing with said second connector of said pocket member;

wherein said pocket members are removable from said interface module such that portable phones having different configurations interface with a single interface module.

34. The system of claim 33 wherein said pocket members are received and removed from said receiving section of said interface module by movement of said pocket member in a substantially single dimension, and continued movement of said pocket member toward said interface module in said substantially single dimension mechanically and electronically interconnects said pocket member and said interface module.

35. The adaptor of claim 33, wherein said pocket member and said interface module include complementary registration members for aligning said mounting section of said pocket member with said receiving section of said interface module.

36. The adaptor of claim 33, further comprising a latching mechanism which secures said pocket member to said interface module and which is activated by movement of said pocket member relative to said interface module.

37. A system of interchangeable adaptors for use with a variety of personal electronic devices, said system comprising:

a plurality of pocket members, each having a receiving section and a mounting section, said receiving section adapted to receive personal electronic devices of a particular configuration;

said pocket members also having a latching mechanism to retain said particular personal electronic device in said receiving section, and a connector interfacing with the electronics of said particular personal electronic device;

an interface module having a receiving section configured to mate with said mounting section of said pocket member, a latching mechanism to retain said pocket member in said receiving section and an electronic connector interfacing with the connector of said pocket member;

wherein said pocket members are removable from said interface module such that personal electronic devices having different configurations interface with a single interface module.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein said personal electronic devices comprise one or more of the group comprising portable phones, portable computers, personal data assistants and wireless data terminals.

39. The adaptor of claim 37, wherein said pocket member and said interface module include complementary registration members for aligning said mounting section of said pocket member with said receiving section of said interface module.

40. The adaptor of claim 37, further comprising a latching mechanism which secures said pocket member to said interface module and which is activated by movement of said pocket member relative to said interface module.

41. An adaptor for hands-free operation of a portable phone, comprising:

a pocket member having a receiving section and a mounting section, said mounting section disposed on the back of said pocket member, said receiving section disposed on the front of said pocket member and adapted to receive a portable phone, a first latching mechanism disposed within said pocket member to secure the portable phone within said receiving section, a first connector interfacing with the electronics of the portable phone and a second connector interfacing with the electronics of an interface module;

an interface module having a receiving section disposed on the front of said interface module and configured to mate with said mounting section of said pocket member, and a connector interfacing with said second connector of said pocket member;

a second latching mechanism independent of said first latching mechanism and movable between a first position in which said pocket member and said interface module are disconnected and a second position in which said pocket member and said interface module are engaged by said latching mechanism, said second latching mechanism comprising a plurality of latch members;

wherein when said mounting section of said pocket member is seated within said receiving section of said interface module said latch members move from said first position to said second position to secure said interface module to said pocket member.

42. The adaptor of claim 41, wherein said second latching mechanism is disposed in said interface module.

43. The adaptor of claim 42, further comprising a plurality of apertures disposed in said pocket member, and when said second latching mechanism moves from said first position to said second position, said latch members extend through said apertures and said pocket member is secured to said interface module.

44. The adaptor of claim 41, wherein said second latching mechanism is disposed in said pocket member.

45. The adaptor of claim 44, further comprising a plurality of apertures disposed in said interface module, and when said second latching mechanism moves from said first position to said second position, said latch members extend through said apertures and said pocket member is secured to said interface module.

46. An adaptor for hands-free operation of a portable phone, comprising:

a pocket member having a receiving section and a mounting section, said receiving section adapted to receive a portable phone, said pocket member also having a latching mechanism to retain said portable phone in said receiving section, a first connector interfacing with the electronics of the portable phone and a second connector interfacing with the electronics of an interface module;

an interface module having a receiving section configured to mate with said mounting section of said pocket member, a latching mechanism to retain said pocket member in said receiving section and a connector interfacing with said second connector of said pocket member,

wherein said pocket member is removable from said receiving section of said interface module allowing a second pocket member containing a second portable phone to mate with said interface module by movement of said pocket member in a substantially single dimension.