Method and apparatus for providing power and wireless protocol capability to a wireless device, such as a wireless phone

• US 6,636,749 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2001
• Issued: 10/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Wireless Services Incorporated (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Nelson, Thomas Edwin East, Holmes, David William James
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Lee
• Assistant Examiner(s): West, Lewis G.
• Application Number:
  US10/036,188
• Publication Number:
  US 20020198031A1
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 455/569, 455/568, 455/556, 455/557, 455/550, 455/575, 455/90, 455/41, 320/103, 320/114
• US Class Current: 455/569.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3883 Arrangements for mounting batteries or battery chargers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface

Abstract

Disclosed embodiments include a apparatus for coupling with a vehicle having a wireless protocol-enabled device, such as a hands-free car kit, and a power supply and for coupling with a wireless device. The wireless protocol may be a protocol such as Bluetooth, and the wireless device may be a wireless phone. The apparatus comprises a charge cord, a vehicle adapter located at a first end of the charge cord, and a connector located at a second end of a charge cord. The vehicle adapter couples the power supply to the charge cord, and the connector couples the charge cord with the wireless device. The apparatus also comprises a wireless protocol module operably connected to the charge cord, wherein the module comprises logic to exchange communications signals between the wireless protocol-enabled device and the wireless device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for coupling with a vehicle having a Bluetooth-enabled hands-free car kit and for coupling with a wireless phone, comprising:

a charge cord having a first end and a second end;

a cigarette lighter adapter located at the first end of the charge cord, the cigarette lighter adapter being adapted to couple with a DC power source in the vehicle, wherein the cigarette lighter adapter is operably secured to the charge cord;

a phone connector located at the second end of the charge cord, the phone connector being adapted to couple with the wireless phone, wherein the phone connector is operably secured to the charge cord;

a Bluetooth module operably coupled to the charge cord, the Bluetooth module comprising Bluetooth logic substantially compatible with at least one Bluetooth standard to exchange communications signals with the Bluetooth-enabled hands-free car kit;

wherein the Bluetooth module further comprises circuitry including a wireless transceiver and a processor, wherein the circuitry is retained within the Bluetooth module and is configured to wirelessly exchange communication signals with the Bluetooth-enabled hands-free car kit, and wherein further the circuitry is configured to exchange communication signals with the wireless phone;

wherein further the Bluetooth module further comprises a protective shell for enclosing the Bluetooth logic and circuitry; and

wherein further the charge cord is adapted to provide a conduit for power and audio signals throughout at least a portion of its length.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the Bluetooth module is located adjacent or within the cigarette lighter adapter, and wherein further the charge cord is adapted to provide a conduit for power and audio signals throughout substantially its entire length.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the Bluetooth module is located adjacent or within the phone connector, and wherein further the charge cord is adapted to provide a conduit for power throughout substantially its entire length.

4. An apparatus for coupling with a vehicle having a wireless protocol-enabled device and a power supply and for coupling with a wireless device, comprising:

a charge cord having a first end and a second end;

a vehicle adapter located at the first end of the charge cord, the vehicle adapter being adapted to selectively couple with the power supply in the vehicle, wherein the vehicle adapter is operably secured to the charge cord;

a connector located at the second end of the charge cord, the connector being adapted to couple with the wireless device, wherein the connector is operably secured to the charge cord; and

a wireless protocol module operably connected to the charge cord, the wireless protocol module comprising logic substantially compatible with at least one wireless protocol standard to receive data from the wireless device, and exchange communications signals with the wireless protocol-enabled device.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wireless protocol is Bluetooth, wherein further the wireless protocol module is a Bluetooth module, the Bluetooth module comprising Bluetooth logic substantially compatible with at least one Bluetooth standard to exchange communications signals with the Bluetooth device.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wireless protocol is Bluetooth, wherein further the wireless protocol module is a Bluetooth module, the Bluetooth module comprising circuitry including a processor, wherein the circuitry is retained within the Bluetooth module and is configured to exchange communication signals between the Bluetooth device and the wireless device.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wireless protocol is Bluetooth, and wherein further the wireless protocol module is a Bluetooth module.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wireless protocol is IEEE 802.11, and wherein further the wireless protocol module is a IEEE 802.11 module.

9. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wireless protocol is IEEE 802.11b, and wherein further the wireless protocol module is a IEEE 802.11b module.

10. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wireless protocol module further comprises a protective shell.

11. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the vehicle adapter is a cigarette lighter adapter.

12. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wireless device is a wireless phone.

13. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wireless device is a wireless web access device.

14. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wireless protocol-enabled device is a hands-free car kit.

15. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wireless protocol-enabled device is a navigation system.

16. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wireless protocol-enabled device is an identification system.

17. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wireless protocol-enabled device is an automotive audio system.

18. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wireless protocol module is located adjacent or within the vehicle adapter, and wherein further the charge cord is adapted to provide a conduit for power and audio signals throughout substantially its entire length.

19. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wireless protocol module is located adjacent or within the vehicle adapter, wherein further the charge cord is adapted to provide a conduit for power and audio signals throughout substantially its entire length, and wherein further the charge cord is adapted to provide a conduit for control signals throughout substantially its entire length.

20. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wireless protocol module is located adjacent or within the vehicle adapter.

21. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wireless protocol module is located adjacent or within the connector.

22. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wireless protocol module is located in between the vehicle adapter and the connector, and wherein further wireless protocol module is located within the charge cord.

23. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wireless protocol module is located in between the vehicle adapter and the connector.

24. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wireless device is a wireless phone, and wherein further the connector is a phone power connector.

25. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wireless device is a wireless phone, and wherein further the connector is a phone power and audio connector.

26. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the connector is detachable from the charge cord, wherein further the connector is adapted to be connected to a particular set of wireless devices.

27. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wireless device is a wireless phone, and wherein further the wireless phone is a Nokia phone.

28. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wireless device is a wireless phone, and wherein further the wireless phone is a Motorola phone.

29. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wireless device is a wireless phone, and wherein further the wireless phone is an Ericsson phone.

30. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wireless device is a PDA, and wherein the PDA is a Palm PDA.

31. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wireless device is a PDA, and wherein the PDA is a Handspring PDA.

32. An apparatus for coupling with a vehicle having a wireless protocol-enabled device and a power supply and for coupling with a wireless device, comprising:

a charge cord having a first end and a second end;

a vehicle adapter located at the first end of the charge cord, the vehicle adapter being adapted to selectively couple with the power supply in the vehicle, wherein the vehicle adapter is operably secured to the charge cord;

wherein the second end is adapted to couple with a connector, the connector being adapted to couple with the wireless device; and

a wireless protocol module operably connected to the charge cord, the wireless protocol module comprising logic substantially compatible with at least one wireless protocol standard to receive data from the wireless device and to exchange communications signals with the wireless protocol-enabled device.

33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the wireless protocol is Bluetooth.

34. An apparatus for coupling with a vehicle and a wireless phone, comprising:

a charge cord having a first end and a second end;

a cigarette lighter adapter located at the first end of the charge cord, the cigarette lighter adapter being adapted to couple with a power source in the vehicle, wherein the cigarette lighter adapter is operably secured to the charge cord;

a phone connector located at the second end of the charge cord, the phone connector being adapted to couple with the wireless phone, wherein the phone connector is operably secured to the charge cord;

a Bluetooth module operably connected to the charge cord, the Bluetooth module comprising Bluetooth logic substantially compatible with at least one Bluetooth standard to exchange communications signals with an independent Bluetooth device; and

wherein the Bluetooth module further comprises circuitry including a processor, wherein the circuitry is retained within the Bluetooth module and is configured to exchange communication signals between the independent Bluetooth device and the wireless phone.

35. An apparatus for coupling with a vehicle having a wireless protocol-enabled device and a power supply and for coupling with a wireless device, comprising:

a cord means for providing a conduit between the vehicle power supply and the wireless device for power;

an coupling means for coupling the cord means with the vehicle power supply;

a connecting means for connecting the cord means with the wireless device;

a transmitting means for transmitting audio information to the wireless protocol-enabled device;

a receiving means for receiving audio information from the wireless protocol-enabled device; and

a communications means for transmitting and receiving audio information to and from the wireless device.

36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the wireless protocol is Bluetooth, and wherein further the wireless device is a wireless phone.

37. An system for coupling with a vehicle having a Bluetooth-enabled hands-free car kit and a power supply and for coupling with a wireless device, comprising:

a hands-free car kit, wherein the hands-free car kit is Bluetooth-enabled, and wherein further the hands-free car kit is adapted to be coupled with a vehicle;

a connection device comprising;

a charge cord having a first end and a second end;

a vehicle adapter located at the first end of the charge cord, the vehicle adapter being adapted to selectively couple with the power supply in the vehicle, wherein the vehicle adapter is operably secured to the charge cord;

a connector located at the second end of the charge cord, the connector being adapted to couple with the wireless device, wherein the connector is operably secured to the charge cord; and

a Bluetooth module operably connected to the charge cord, the Bluetooth protocol module comprising logic substantially compatible with at least one Bluetooth standard to receive data from the wireless device, and exchange communications signals with the Bluetooth-enabled device.

38. An apparatus for use with a Bluetooth-enabled headset, a wireless device and a vehicle, comprising:

a charge cord having a first end and a second end;

a cigarette lighter adapter located at the first end of the charge cord, the cigarette lighter adapter being adapted to couple with a power source in the vehicle;

a wireless device connector located at the second end of the charge cord, the wireless device connector being adapted to couple with the wireless device; and

a Bluetooth module operably coupled to the charge cord, the Bluetooth module comprising Bluetooth logic substantially compatible with at least one Bluetooth standard and being operably adapted to exchange signals with the Bluetooth-enabled headset.

39. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the wireless device is a mobile telephone.

40. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the Bluetooth module is physically attached to the charge cord.

41. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the Bluetooth module is physically integrated with the charge cord.

42. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the Bluetooth module is physically integrated with the charge cord between the first end and the second end.

43. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the Bluetooth module is located adjacent to the wireless device connector.

44. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the Bluetooth module is located within the wireless device connector.

45. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the Bluetooth module is located within the cigarette lighter adapter.

46. An apparatus for use with a Bluetooth-enabled headset, a wireless device and a vehicle, comprising:

a charge cord having a first end and a second end;

a cigarette lighter adapter located at the first end of the charge cord, the cigarette lighter adapter being adapted to couple with a power source in the vehicle;

a wireless device connector located at the second end of the charge cord, the wireless device connector being adapted to couple with the wireless device;

a Bluetooth module operably coupled to the charge cord, the Bluetooth module comprising Bluetooth logic substantially compatible with at least one Bluetooth standard and being operably adapted to exchange communications signals with the Bluetooth-enabled headset;

wherein the Bluetooth module further comprises circuitry including a wireless transceiver and a processor, wherein the circuitry is configured to wirelessly exchange communication signals with the Bluetooth-enabled headset, and herein the circuitry is configured to exchange communication signals with the wireless device; and

wherein the charge cord is adapted to provide a conduit for power and signals throughout at least a portion of its length.

47. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the wireless device is a mobile telephone.

48. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the Bluetooth module is physically attached to the charge cord.

49. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the Bluetooth module is physically integrated with the charge cord.

50. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the Bluetooth module is physically integrated with the charge cord between the first end and the second end.

51. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the Bluetooth module is located adjacent to the wireless device connector.

52. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the Bluetooth module is located within the wireless device connector.

53. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the Bluetooth module is located within the cigarette light adapter.

54. An apparatus for coupling with a Bluetooth-enabled headset and a wireless telephone, comprising:

a charge cord having a first end and a second end;

a power adapter located at the first end of the charge cord, the power adapter being adapted convey power to the second end of the charge cord;

a wireless device connector located at the second end of the charge cord, the wireless device connector being adapted to couple with the wireless device and to convey power to the wireless device; and

a Bluetooth module operably secured to the charge cord, the Bluetooth protocol module comprising logic substantially compatible with at least one Bluetooth standard to exchange signals with a Bluetooth-enabled device and to exchange signals with the wireless device through the wireless device connector.

55. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein the Bluetooth-enabled device is a Bluetooth-enabled headset.

56. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein the Bluetooth-enabled device is a Bluetooth-enabled headset operable adapted for use with a user'"'"'s head.

57. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein the Bluetooth-enabled device is a Bluetooth-enabled headset operable adapted for use with a user'"'"'s head in order to carry a telephonic conversation.

58. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein the wireless device is a mobile telephone.

59. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein the Bluetooth module is physically attached to the charge cord.

60. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein the Bluetooth module is physically integrated with the charge cord.

61. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein the Bluetooth module is physically integrated with the charge cord between the first end and the second end.

62. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein the Bluetooth module is located adjacent to the wireless device connector.

63. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein the Bluetooth module is located within the wireless device connector.

64. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein the Bluetooth module is located within the power adapter.

65. An method for communicatively coupling a mobile telephone with a Bluetooth-enabled headset in vehicle having a power source, comprising:

connecting a charge cord to the mobile telephone, the charge cord having a wireless device connector at a first end and cigarette lighter adapter at second end, the wireless device connector being operably adapted to electrically coupling with the mobile telephone;

connecting the cigarette lighter adapter at second end of the charge cord to the power source in the vehicle, the cigarette lighter adapter being operably adapted to electrically coupling with the power source in the vehicle;

transmitting signals in a mobile telephone format between the mobile telephone and a Bluetooth module operably coupled to the charge cord, the Bluetooth module being operably adapted to exchange the signals in the mobile telephone format with the mobile telephone;

transmitting signals substantially in accordance with at least one Bluetooth standard between the Bluetooth module and the Bluetooth-enabled headset, the Bluetooth module comprising Bluetooth logic substantially compatible with at least one Bluetooth standard and being operably adapted to exchange signals in the at least one Bluetooth standard with the Bluetooth-enabled headset.

66. The method of claim 65 wherein the Bluetooth module is physically attached to the charge cord.

67. The method of claim 65 wherein the Bluetooth module is physically integrated with the charge cord.

68. The method of claim 65 wherein the Bluetooth module is physically integrated with the charge cord between the first end and the second end.

69. The method of claim 65 wherein the Bluetooth module is located adjacent to the wireless device connector.

70. The method of claim 65 wherein the Bluetooth module is located within the wireless device connector.

71. The method of claim 65 wherein the Bluetooth module is located within the cigarette lighter adapter.

72. An method for communicatively coupling a wireless device with a Bluetooth-enabled headset proximate to a vehicle having a power source, comprising:

connecting a charge cord to the wireless device, the charge cord having a wireless device connector at a first end and power source adapter at second end, the first end being operably adapted to electrically coupling with the wireless device;

connecting the power source adapter at the second end of the charge cord to the power source in a vehicle, the power source adapter being operably adapted to electrically coupling with the power source in the vehicle;

transmitting signals between the wireless device and a Bluetooth module operably coupled to the charge cord, the Bluetooth module being operably adapted to exchange signals with the wireless device;

transmitting signals between the Bluetooth module and the Bluetooth-enabled headset, the Bluetooth module comprising Bluetooth logic substantially compatible with at least one Bluetooth standard and being operably adapted to exchange signals with the Bluetooth-enabled headset.

73. The method of claim 72 wherein the Bluetooth module is physically attached to the charge cord.

74. The method of claim 72 wherein the Bluetooth module is physically integrated with the charge cord.

75. The method of claim 72 wherein the Bluetooth module is physically integrated with the charge cord between the first end and the second end.

76. The meth of claim 72 wherein the Bluetooth module is located adjacent to the wireless device connector.

77. The method of claim 72 wherein the Bluetooth module is located within the wireless device connector.

78. The meth of claim 72 wherein the Bluetooth module is located within the cigarette lighter adapter.