WO1998006183A1

WO1998006183A1 - Remote control for a mobile station

Info

Publication number: WO1998006183A1
Application number: PCT/SE1997/001298
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harro Osthoff; Christer TÖRNEVIK; Dag MÅRTENSSON; Björn Johannisson
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 1996-08-01
Filing date: 1997-07-18
Publication date: 1998-02-12
Also published as: AU3714397A

Abstract

A remote-controlled telephone system comprising a miniature telephone handset (300), a separate telephone transceiver (100) and a communication link (500) between the handset and the transceiver. The handset is constructed to provide conventional handset features such as an earphone (330) and mouthpiece (320). The transceiver is constructed with the bulkier power supply (110) and requisite antenna (130) necessary for communicating with a cellular array. Because the antenna is remotely disposed from the miniature handset, the antenna efficiency and the signal performance may be improved due to less interaction between the antenna and the user's body. Also the potential of interference to hearing aids will be considerably reduced. Moreover, the miniaturization of the handset will enhance the portability of the mobile phone and its ease of operation.

Description

REMOTE CONTROL FOR A MOBILE STATION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to mobile telephone sets and, more particularly, to a mobile telephone set incorporating a remote control handset for enhancing convenience and performance .

Description nf Related Art

Mobile telephone technology has vastly expanded over the past decade. Despite advances in cellular mobile telephone set (mobile station) technology, however, there remain several drawbacks to current mobile telephone configurations. The smallest mobile telephone is the hand held model which contains the entire mobile telephone including the transmitter, power source, and antenna. To extend battery life, hand held mobile telephones transmit at a greatly reduced power level as compared to car mounted mobile telephones. Furthermore, because a hand held mobile telephone is in close proximity to a user's hand and head, the antenna efficiency and the signal performance is reduced due to interaction between the telephone and the body. This may result in a reduced range of communication and poor signal quality when transmitting in unfavorable conditions or terrain.

Another drawback to the current configuration of hand held mobile telephones is the audible interference that digital versions of the telephone may cause to some users with hearing aids. A first type of interference is caused when the hearing aid acts as an unintended detector of amplitude modulated radio signals. Digital mobile telephones transmit power pulses or bursts with 100% amplitude modulation of the radio signals. The repetition frequency of a bursty digital radio signal may be unintentionally detected by the hearing aid causing audible interference in the hearing aid. A second type of interference can occur m hearing aids equipped with a telecoil mode of operation. Many hearing aids can operate in two different modes. The first is the microphone mode, where the hearing aid detects and amplifies sound waves. The second is the telecoil mode, where the hearing aid detects magnetic fields and converts them to sound. The telecoil mode is employed when using a telephone equipped to convert the electrical signals sent to the telephone earphone into magnetic fields which are then detected by the hearing aid telecoil. Many hearing aid users prefer the telecoil mode since the sound quality is generally better than with the microphone mode. As mobile telephone set technology advances, a greater number of mobile telephones will be equipped with telecoil capability Unfortunately, while in the telecoil mode, the hearing aid may detect the electromagnetic field of the digital mobile telephone and cause interference to the user Furthermore, the pulsed transmission will cause pulsed electrical currents m the battery of the telephone which will give rise to a low frequency magnetic field close to the phone. This magnetic field will also be detected by the telecoil and will introduce unwanted acoustic output from the hearing aid. Another drawback of current mobile telephone configurations is the limitation imposed on size reduction due to the battery and antenna. Reduction in the size of mobile telephone sets has been a recurring design theme for many years m the mobile telephone industry. Smaller, sleeker and more aesthetically pleasing telephone sets have been developed for convenience n carrying the telephone and for the attractive appearance of the telephone packaging. Ultimately, it is desirable to reduce the size to approximately that of a credit card calculator. Further reduction in size would be impractical as users of the telephone would find its small size difficult to use. Such reductions in size, however, is impossible with the current mobile telephone configuration due to size and weight limitations of the battery and antenna .

As a result of the drawbacks listed above, it is desirable to develop a new mobile telephone set configuration which would eliminate the battery, antenna, transmitter, and other elements of the telephone not essential to the man-machine interface. Such a configuration would have all the nonessential interface components physically separate from the handset (man- machine interface) which would become a remote control for the mobile telephone.

Presently, there are a number of U.S. patents which appear to address the concerns which have been raised. Attempts have been made to provide hands free operation of mobile telephones primarily for use in automobiles, but extending to hand held self-contained sets as well. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,475,872 to Sato, U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,182 to Hansson, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,602 to Regen, various hands-free devices are described but all involve some sort of earphone/microphone combination or handset, connected to a mobile telephone. While these devices may well provide hands free operation, they remain physically connected to a standard configuration mobile phone and possess the same operating characteristics with many of the same drawbacks. For instance, the hand held mobile telephone these handsets are connected to still transmit at the lower power level and therefore have the same limitation on communication range and signal quality as do other hand held telephones .

While not seeking to provide hands-free operation, U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,494 to Levanto seeks to address another problem related to the current configuration of mobile telephones. As earlier described, hand held mobile telephones transmit at a greatly reduced power level . Although the quality of the communication signal from the hand held telephone is tolerable while the user is stationery or moving slowly in the open, signal quality suffers greatly once the user attempts to operate the hand held telephone in a moving automobile. It is therefore desirable to increase the transmitting power while operating the telephone in an automobile. The Levanto patent describes a mobile telephone comprised of a basic unit which is connected either to a high power unit or a low power unit with both power units being interchangeable. When the basic unit is connected to the low power unit it becomes a standard hand held mobile telephone, and when connected to the high power unit it becomes a standard car mounted mobile telephone . Except for the ability to exchange power units, the resulting telephones possess the same characteristics, including all the drawbacks, as standard non-interchangeable telephones. For instance, the hand held version of the telephone described in the Levanto patent will transmit at lower power, have limitations imposed on size reductions due to the attached battery and antenna, and cause interference to hearing aids .

In view of the drawbacks of current mobile telephone sets, there is a need for a remotely controlled newly configured mobile telephone set. It would be an advantage therefor from both a packaging and design standpoint as well as a potential hearing aid interference standpoint to separate the battery, transceiver, and antenna from the mobile handset to allow the handset to attain a size commensurate with its requisite function in today's disfunction. The present invention provides such an improvement over the prior art by providing a miniaturized telephone handset incorporating the minimum elements of a mobile telephone necessary contiguous the head of the user. The other necessary functional elements of a mobile telephone are disposed in a transceiver unit which may be remotely disposed from the handset unit . A wireless or cabled communication link may connect the two elements of the system. In this manner, the bulkier radio frequency elements of the system may be located away from the head of the user to provide a more aesthetically pleasing and efficient assemblage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a remotely controlled configuration of a mobile telephone. More particularly, one aspect of the present invention relates to a remote control handset for a mobile telephone incorporating a mouthpiece and an earpiece connected to a separate and remotely located transceiver module including a transceiver, antenna, and battery. The separation of the handset from the transceiver module facilitates miniaturization of the handset and a possible increased antenna efficiency by reducing the interaction between the antenna and the body as well as reducing interference with hearing aids. In another aspect, the invention includes the utilization of a wireless communication link between the remote control handset and the transceiver module.

In a further aspect, the transceiver module can be carried in a briefcase or handbag or can be attached to a waistband or article of clothing using an additional clip. When the transceiver module is attached to a waistband or article of clothing, a directional antenna can be employed to direct the electromagnetic energy away from the mobile telephone user.

In another aspect, the invention allows the transceiver to transmit at a greater power level due to the larger battery which can be incorporated into the transceiver module. Through the use of a larger battery, greater operating time can also be achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a functional block diagram of a remotely controlled configured mobile telephone; FIGURE 2 is a functional block diagram of a remotely controlled configured mobile telephone wherein the handset incorporates a keypad and a alphanumeric display;

FIGURE 3 is a physical rendering for a mobile telephone representing a first embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGURE 4 is a physical rendering for a mobile telephone representing a second embodiment of the present invention .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a functional block diagram of a remotely controlled configured mobile telephone 10, the mobile telephone 10 also being known as a cellular telephone or a mobile station. Mobile telephones generally fall into one of two configurations. The first configuration is usually installed in an automobile where an abundant source of electrical power is available and the mobile telephone antenna can be mounted in a location distant from the user. These units tend to be relatively larger in physical size and transmit with relatively greater power. The second configuration of mobile telephones are hand held and are usually carried by the user in a pocket, briefcase, or handbag. These hand held telephones transmit with relatively lower power in order to conserve limited battery life associated with the smaller batteries used in hand held cellular telephones .

The new configuration illustrated in Fig. 1, comprises a transceiver module 100 and a remote control handset 300. Operably connecting the transceiver module 100 and the remote control handset 300 is a communication link 500. The transceiver module 100 is comprised of a battery 110 which supplies power to a transceiver 120 connected to an antenna 130. Also included in the transceiver module 100 is a transceiver module communication link interface 140 for effectuating the communication link 500. The transceiver module communication link interface 140 is also powered by the battery 110 and is electrically connected to the transceiver 120. The remote control handset 300 also incorporates a handset communication link interface 340 which is a counterpart to the transceiver module communication link interface 140.

The communication link 500 can employ any of a number of media for transmitting communication signals between the transceiver module communication interface 140 and the handset communication interface 340 including, but not limited to: electrical cable, optical fiber, radio link, or infrared link, all of which are well known in the industry. The type of transceiver module communication link interface 140 and handset communication link interface 340 to be employed is dependent on the medium chosen for the communication link 500. Interfaces for effectuating communication links using any of these media are well-known in industry and any type can be employed to practice the present invention. Using a communication link 500, the remote control handset 300 and transceiver module 100 do not need to be contiguous to one another as in current configurations of cellular telephones. The remote control handset 300 and transceiver module 100 can, therefore, be remotely located from one another with the distance between them being limited by the performance characteristics of the particular medium and the associated communication link interfaces used for effectuating the communication link 500. It is envisioned that, in typical embodiments of the invention, the user would usually carry the miniaturized remote control handset 300 in his or her pocket. The user would then place the transceiver module 100 in a briefcase or handbag or attach the transceiver module 100 to an article of clothing, such as their jacket, trousers, or waistband using a clip 260 as seen in Fig. 4.

Since the transceiver module 100 is remotely located, two benefits can be realized. First, a higher capacity battery 110 can be incorporated since the physically larger size will not interfere with the convenience and ease of use of the small remote control handset 300. The second benefit is that the transceiver 120 can transmit at a higher transmitter output power due, in part, to the higher capacity battery 110 and, in part, to the greater distance between the user and the transceiver 120. Still greater perceived user safety can be achieved through the use of a directional type of antenna 130 which will direct the electromagnetic fields away from the body of the user in applications where the user attaches the transceiver module 100 to a piece of clothing or a waistband.

As stated earlier, the remote control handset 300 is operably coupled to the remotely located transceiver module 100 via the communication link 500. In one embodiment of the invention, the remote control handset 300 will further include a microphone 320 and a loudspeaker 330 for interfacing with the cellular telephone user. The microphone 320 and loudspeaker 330 are connected to the transceiver 120 via the two-way communication link 500 effectuated by handset communication link interface 340 and transceiver module communication link interface 140 in order to respectively transmit and receive communication signals with the cellular telephone array. The remote control handset 300 also includes a battery 310 as a power source for the components of the remote control handset 300.

Control of the entire cellular telephone assemblage 10 is effectuated through the use of any external DTMF tone generator common in the marketplace. To control the cellular telephone, a user generates tones in the microphone 320 using the tone generator and an interpreter/controller 150 located in the transceiver module 100 detects the tones and translates them into appropriate control signals which are used to control operation of the cellular telephone 10. Alternatively, the interpreter/controller 150 located within the transceiver module 100 is equipped with a keypad and an alphanumeric display for directly entering control signals to the interpreter/controller 150. To control functions within the transceiver module 100, the interpreter/control 150 can employ direct electrical control signals within the transceiver module 100. To control functions within the remote control handset 300, the interpreter/controller 150 will transmit control signals to the remote control handset 300 via the communications link 500. The control functions are identical to those of a conventional cellular telephone and include, among others, such functions as dialing a telephone number, changing the volume and answering a call.

Referring now to Fig. 2, there is illustrated another embodiment of the current invention, the remote control handset 300 further includes a keypad 350 for controlling operation of the cellular telephone 10 and an optional alphanumeric display 360 which is capable of displaying keys activated on the keypad, status of the telephone, messages communicated over the cellular telephone and other information capable of being displayed on an alphanumeric display. In such an embodiment, the interpreter/controller 150 will not need to interpret the tones of an external tone generator. Control of the mobile telephone 10 is effectuated identical to any current mobile telephone in that when the keys on the keypad 350 are depressed, signals will be transmitted via the communication link 500 and directed to the interpreter/controller 150 which will directly translate the signals into control signals.

Operation of the remotely controlled configured mobile telephone 10 is similar to that of a conventional obile telephone and any difference in operation is transparent to the user. In an embodiment of the present invention wherein the remote control handset 300 includes a keypad 350 and alphanumeric display 360, calls are placed and answered in a manner identical to that of a conventional mobile telephone . The only noticeable difference is in the physical appearance. The remotely controlled configured mobile telephone is comprised of two separate modules, the transceiver module 100 and the remote control handset 300 with the remote control handset 300 being much smaller and lighter than a conventional hand held mobile telephone.

Referring now to Fig. 3, there is illustrated a physical rendering for a mobile telephone representing a first embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment of a mobile telephone 200 practicing the present invention comprises a remote control handset 300 and a transceiver module 100 which are connected via a communication link 501. The communication link 501 is effectuated using a radio link or an infrared link and, therefore, there is no physical connection. Physically and electrically connected to the transceiver module 100 is a conventional "whip" type antenna 131.

Referring now to Fig. 4, there is illustrated a physical rendering for a mobile telephone 250 representing a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment also comprises a remote control handset 300 and a transceiver module 100 which are electrically and physically connected using an electrical cable 502 for effectuating the communication link 500. This embodiment also depicts a clip 260 for attaching the transceiver module 100 to a waistband or article of clothing such as a shirt pocket . The antenna is incorporated within the transceiver module 260 and is, therefore, not shown but could either be a directional antenna or a micro-strip patch antenna. Actual operation of the remotely controlled configured mobile telephone is identical to that of a conventional hand held mobile telephone with one distinction. In a conventional hand held mobile telephone the handset 300 and transceiver module 100 comprise a single unit and functions which are resident in the remote control handset 300 of Fig. 1, are electrically connected to the functions resident in the transceiver module 100 of Fig. 1, via electrical paths on a printed circuit board. In the case of a remotely controlled configured mobile telephone 10 of Fig. 1, the connection between components in the remote control handset 300 of Fig. 1, and the transceiver module 100 of Fig. 1, is effectuated via a communication link 500 of Fig. 1 which need not be a physical connection.

Although a preferred embodiment of the method and apparatus of the present invention has been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims .

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED:

1. A mobile telephone permitting a user to communicate with a cellular telephone array, the mobile telephone comprising: a handset including a microphone and an earphone ; a transceiver including a power supply and antenna for communication with said cellular telephone array; and means for effectuating a communication linl- between said handset and said transceiver.

2. A mobile telephone permitting a user to communicate with a cellular telephone array, the mobile telephone comprising; a handset including a microphone and an earphone ; a transceiver module remotely positionable from the handset and adapted for effectuating a communication link between said module and said cellular telephone array; and a communication link disposed between said handset and said module.

3. A mobile telephone permitting a user to communicate with a cellular telephone array as recited in claim 2, wherein said communication link disposed between said handset and said transceiver module further comprises an electrical cable for conducting electrical signals between said handset and said transceiver module.

4. A mobile telephone permitting a user to communicate with a cellular telephone array as recited in claim 2, wherein said communication link disposed between said handset and said transceiver module further comprises a fiber optic cable for conducting optical signals between said handset and said module.

5. A mobile telephone permitting a user to communicate with a cellular telephone array as recited in claim 2, wherein said communication link disposed between said handset and said transceiver module further comprises a radio link for transmitting radio signals between said handset and said module.

6. A mobile telephone permitting a user to communicate with a cellular telephone array as recited in claim 2, wherein said communication link disposed between said handset and said transceiver module further comprises an infra-red link for transmitting infra-red signals between said handset and said module .

7. A mobile telephone permitting a user to communicate with a cellular telephone array as in claims 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 , wherein said handset further comprises a keypad for controlling operation of said mobile telephone .

8. A mobile telephone permitting a user to communicate with a cellular telephone array as recited in claim 7, wherein said handset further comprises an alphanumeric display operably coupled to said keypad and said transceiver module.

9. A mobile telephone permitting a user to communicate with a cellular telephone array, the mobile telephone comprising: a handset including a microphone, an earphone, a keypad, and an alphanumeric display; and a module remotely positionable from said handset including a power source, antenna, and transceiver, said transceiver for effectuating a communication link between said cellular telephone array and said module.

10. A mobile telephone permitting a user to communicate with a cellular telephone array, said mobile telephone comprising: a handset including a microphone, an earphone, a keypad, an alphanumeric display, a power source, and a transceiver, said transceiver for effectuating a first communication link between said handset and a remote module; and a module remotely positionable from said handset including a power source, an antenna, a first transceiver for effectuating a first communication link between said handset and said module, a second transceiver for effectuating a second communication link between said cellular telephone array and said module, and bridging means for connecting said first communication link to said second communications link for effectuating communication between said handset and said cellular telephone array.

11. A mobile telephone permitting a user to communicate with a cellular telephone array, as in claims

9, or 10, wherein said antenna is a directional antenna.

12. A mobile telephone permitting a user to communicate with a cellular telephone array, as in claims 9, or 10, wherein said antenna is a micro-strip patch antenna .

13. A method of permitting a mobile telephone user to communicate with a cellular telephone array comprising the steps of : constructing a mobile telephone handset to include a microphone and an earphone ; constructing a mobile telephone transceiver to include a power supply and antenna adapted to communicate with said cellular telephone array and with said handset; and effectuating a communication link between said handset and said transceiver and communicating with said cellular telephone array.

14. A method of permitting a mobile telephone user to communicate with a cellular telephone array comprising the steps of : forming a handset including a microphone and an earphone ; forming a transceiver module adapted for effectuating a communication link between said module and said cellular telephone array; remotely positioning said transceiver module from the handset; and forming a communication link between said handset and said module for communicating with said cellular array.

15. The method as set forth in claim 14 and further including the steps of : providing an electrical cable for said communication link; and connecting said electrical cable between said handset and said transceiver module.

16. The method as set forth in claim 14 and further including the steps of; providing an fiber optic cable for said communication link; and connecting said fiber optic cable between said handset and said transceiver module.

17. The method as set forth in claim 14 and further including the step of providing an radio link for said communication link.

18. The method as set forth in claim 14 and further including the step of providing an infra-red link for said communication link.

19. The method as set forth in claims 14, 15, 16,

17, or 18, and further including the step of forming said handset to further include a keypad for controlling operation of said mobile telephone.

20. The method as set forth in claim 19, further including the step of forming said handset to further include an alphanumeric display operably coupled to said keypad and said transceiver module .