Replaceable signal cable making a sound-controlled or externally dialed hand-free system universally compatible with all types of cellular phones

• US 6,411,823 B1
• Filed: 03/08/1999
• Issued: 06/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: E Lead Electronic Company Limited
• Original Assignee: E Lead Electronic Company Limited
• Inventors: Chen, Tonny
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Lester G.
• Application Number:
  US09/263,863
• Time in Patent Office: 1,205 Days
• Field of Search: 455/557, 455/559, 455/569, 455/550, 455/575, 455/90, 455/564, 455/565, 455/566, 455/570, 455/573, 455/345, 455/346, 455/347, 455/348, 455/349, 439/620, 439/669
• US Class Current: 455/559
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6083 by interfacing with the vehicle audio system

Abstract

A replaceable signal cable for connection of a specific type of cellular phone to a sound controlled or externally dialed hand-free system enables the hand-free system to be adapted for universal use on all types of cellular phones by simple selection of a proper signal cable in use. In other words, it relates more particularly to a signal cable for a hand-free system, which can be selectively replaced with ease so as to make all types of cellular phones universally adapted to one single hand-free system. The signal cable is equipped with a first connecting plug coupled with a cellular phone and a second connecting plug connected to a hand-free system. A dial-decoding IC or circuitry housed in either the first connecting plug for a cellular phone or the second connecting plug for a hand-free system is adopted according to codes set by a standard communication protocol for each type of cellular phone. So, simple replacement of a signal cable permits a hand-free system to be universally applicable to all kinds of cellular phones.

Claims

1. A plurality of replaceable signal cables wherein one replaceable signal cable is selected for detachably connecting a hands-free system having a first communication protocol to a cellular telephone having a second communication protocol, said selected replaceable signal cable comprising:

(a) a cable portion having first and second connection plugs and a flexible cord extending therebetween, said first connecting plug being configured for coupling to a signal output socket of the cellular telephone, said second connecting plug being configured for coupling to the hands-free system; and

,

(b) an interface portion disposed within said cable portion, said interface portion including a decoding circuit operable to convert between the first communication protocol of the hands-free system and the second communication protocol of the cellular telephone type;

whereby the plurality of replaceable signal cables are adapted for providing bidirectional communication with a cellular telephone of any of a plurality of cellular telephone types.

2. The plurality of replaceable signal cables as recited in claim 1 wherein said cable portion includes a housing box intermediately coupled to said flexible cord, said housing box housing said interface portion.

3. The plurality of replaceable signal cables as recited in claim 1 wherein said decoding circuit is operable to convert communication signals from the cellular telephone for display of messages responsive thereto on a display of the hands-free system.

4. A hands-free cellular telephone system comprising:

(a) a hands-free unit having an output for communication with a cellular telephone using a predetermined communication protocol;

(b) a cellular telephone unit of a type selected from any of a plurality of cellular telephone types, each of said plurality of cellular telephone types having a respective one of a multiplicity of communication protocols, said multiplicity of communication protocols being different from said predetermined communication protocol of said hands-free unit; and

,

(c) a replaceable signal cable corresponding to said selected cellular telephone type detachably coupled to extend between said cellular telephone and said output of said hands-free unit, said signal cable including;

(1) a cable portion having first and second connection plugs and a flexible cord extending therebetween, said first and second connecting plugs being respectively configured for coupling to a signal output socket of said cellular telephone unit and said output of said hands-free unit; and

,

(2) an interface portion disposed within said cable portion, said interface portion including a decoding circuit operable to convert between said respective one communication protocol of said selected cellular telephone and said predetermined communication protocol of said hands-free unit;

whereby said hands-free unit is universally adaptable for bidirectional communication with a cellular telephone unit having any one of said multiplicity of communications protocols.

5. The hands-free cellular telephone system as recited in claim 4 herein said cable portion of said signal cable includes a housing box intermediately coupled to said flexible cord, said housing box housing said interface portion.

6. The hands-free cellular telephone system as recited in claim 4 wherein said hands-free unit includes a display device, said decoding circuit being operable to convert communication signals from said cellular telephone unit for corresponding display by said display device.

7. The hands-free cellular telephone system as recited in claim 4 Wherein said hands-free unit includes sound-controlled device.

8. The hands-free cellular telephone system as recited in claim 4 wherein said hands-free unit includes an external dialing device.

9. The hands-free cellular telephone system as recited in claim 4 herein said decoding device is operable to convert between respective alphanumeric communication codes of said cellular telephone and hands-free units.