AU3921499A - Hands-free device for mobile telephones - Google Patents

Description

WO 99/60764 - 1 - PCT/AU99/00374 Hands-Free Device for Mobile Telephones Background Of The Invention The present invention relates to an accessory to enable 'hands-free' use of a mobile telephone. 5 In particular, the present invention relates to a personal portable hands-free device for mobile phones utilising a retractable cord, and, to a wireless personal portable hands-free device for mobile telephones. Description Of The Prior Art 10 Present day hands-free devices for mobile phones have a length of cord connecting the phone to a mouthpiece and earpiece allowing the user to converse on the mobile phone without using their hands. This is especially useful when driving a motor vehicle. However, the cord can often prove an obstruction to many tasks when the mobile phone is 15 not in use. To overcome this obstruction many users wind the cord around the mobile phone to prevent the cord from snagging on various objects. The next time the hands-free device is required the coil of cord must be unwound prior to use of the mouth and ear speakers. Use of 'hands-free' mobile telephones outside vehicles is also becoming increasingly popular. 20 This is due to the convenience of having one's hands available for alternative uses other than holding the telephone, and also, due to fears of radiation from the transceivers of such telephones causing cancerous tumours or the like, particularly when the transceiver of the telephone is held proximal to a persons brain for extended periods of time. 25 This problem identifies a need for a device that provides the benefits of the current hands-free devices for mobile phones whilst removing the obstructing cord when the phone is not in use. Summary Of The Invention The present invention seeks to provide a hands-free device for mobile phones that has mouth 30 and ear pieces separate from the mouth and ear pieces of the mobile phone.

WO 99/60764 - 2 - PCT/AU99/00374 In one broad form, the present invention provides a telephone accessory device including a cord having a microphone and earpiece at a free end thereof, and which is adapted to retract into a housing and onto a retraction means. Preferably, said housing is embodied in a separate casing adapted to plug into a socket provided in a telephone casing. Alternatively, 5 but also preferably, said housing is formed integrally within a casing of a telephone. Alternatively still, but also preferably, said housing is embodied in a spearate casing adapted to be connected by a wireless communications channel to said telephone. In a preferred embodiment, said telephone is a mobile telephone. Preferably, said retraction means is a spring tension mechanism, or other mechanically biased mechanism. In this preferred form, 10 said retraction means retracts said cord in a spool-like manner. Also, in this preferred form, said retraction mechanism includes a locking means to prevent automatic retraction of said cord. In an alternatively prefferred form, said retraction means is driven by an electric motor or the like. Preferably, said microphone and earpeice are adapted to be housed within said device or telephone, or be hooked or otherwise retained on said device or said telephone. 15 Brief Description Of The Drawings The present invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description of a preferred but non-limiting embodiment thereof, described in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 20 Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, Figure 2 illustrates a further preferred embodiment of the invention; and, Figure 3 illustrates a further preferred embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description Of A Preferred Embodiment 25 Throughout the drawings, like numerals will be used to identify similar features, except where expressly otherwise indicated. As shown in figure 1 the retractable hands-free device for mobile phones 1 embodied as a mobile phone attachment comprises a spring tension mechanism 2 which retracts the cord 30 when a locking mechanism 5 is released. The cord and spring mechanism are both attached to a fixing 3 which provides neat storage of the cord and allows the cord to be locked when the desired length of cord protrudes from the device 1. The casing for the accessory form WO 99/60764 - 3 - PCT/AU99/00374 of the retractable hands-free device for mobile phones 1 also comprises the electronic circuitry 6 necessary for use with an existing mobile phone. The hands-free device 1 is fixed to the mobile phone by a mechanical means such as the locking pins 7 suitable for certain types of mobile phone accessory ports. 5 Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in figure 2. In this embodiment the retraction mechanism is integrally formed within the casing of a mobile phone 8. The cord may be pulled out and set at the desired length using the locking button 5. The mouth piece 9, earpiece 10, and cord fixing clip 11, then act in the usual manner of 10 a hands-free device for mobile phones. When the user wishes to retract the cord the stored potential energy in the spring mechanism 2 is utilised to pull the cord inside the phone. The phone may be provided with a clipping mechanism recess, or a housing to receive the ear and mouth pieces in a manner such that it is not loosely attached to the phone. 15 Yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in figure 3. In this embodiment the mouth and ear pieces have no electrical connection to the mobile phone. By means of a transmitting device 12 integrally formed within, or attached to, a mobile phone, an electromagnetic signal 13 is received by an antenna wire 14. A low power transceiver 15, shown in figure 3 to be integrally formed within the mouthpiece, allows wireless 20 communication with the mobile phone within several metres distance. An alternatively preferred embodiment is to incorporate the mouth and ear pieces into a headset embodiment which may be more comfortable to wear for extended periods and/or which may be easier to take on and off. 25 Numerous other variations and modifications of the invention will become apparent to persons skilled in the art. All such variations and modifications should be considered to fall within the scope of the invention as broadly hereinbefore described and hereinafter claimed.

Claims (11)

1. A telephone accessory device including a cord having a microphone and earpiece at a free end thereof, and which is adapted to retract into housing and onto a retraction means. 5

2. A telephone accessory device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing is embodied in a separate casing adapted to plug into a socket provided in a telephone casing.

3. A telephone accessory device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing is formed integrally within a casing of a telephone. 10

4. A telephone accessory device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing is embodied in a separate casing adapted to be connected by a wireless communications channel to said telephone. 15

5. A telephone accessory device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said telephone is a mobile telephone.

6. A telephone accessory device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said retraction means is a spring tension mechanism, or other mechanically biased mechanism. 20

7. A telephone accessory device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said retraction means retracts said cord in a spool-like manner.

8. A telephone accessory device as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein said retraction 25 mechanism includes a locking means to provent automatic retraction of said cord.

9. A telephone accessory device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said retraction means is driven by an electric motor or the like. WO 99/60764 - 5 - PCT/AU99/00374

10. A telephone accessory device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said microphone and earpiece are adapted to be housed within said device or telephone, or be hooked or otherwise retained on said device or said telephone. 5

11. A telephone accessory device, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. WO 99/60764 PCT/AU99/00374 -6 AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 30 September 1999 (30.09.99); original claims 1-11 replaced by new claims 1-8; (2 pages)] 1. A portable telephone having a main body including a transceiver for wireless communication with a communications network, characterised in that said telephone includes a microphone and earpiece which is attached to said main body by a cord which is retractably 5 housed within said main body when said telephone is not in use, and such that, when in use, said cord is withdrawn from said main body whereby said transceiver is displaced from a user's head such that any harmful effects caused by transmission of electromagnetic radiation from said transceiver is minimised. 10 2. A portable telephone having a main body including a transceiver for wireless communication with a communications network, characterised in that said telephone includes a microphone and earpiece which is attached to a casing, by a cord which is retractably housed within said casing when said telephone is not in use, such that, said cord is withdrawn from said casing, and wherein said casing is adapted to be connected to said main 15 body, whereby, said transceiver is displayed from a user's head such that any harmful effects caused by transmission of electromagnetic radiation from said transceiver is minimised. 3. A telephone accessory device as claimed claims 1 or 2, wherein said cord is retracted by a retraction means including a spring tension mechanism, or other mechanically biased 20 mechanism. 4. A telephone accessory device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said retraction means retracts said cord in a spool-like manner. 25 5. A telephone accessory device as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein said retraction mechanism includes a locking means to prevent automatic retraction of said cord. 6. A telephone accessory device as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein said retraction means is driven by an electric motor or the like. AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) WO 99/60764 PCT/AU99/00374 -7 7. A portable telephone having a main body including a transceiver for wireless communication with a communications network, characterised in that said telephone includes a microphone and earpiece which is connected to said telephone by a wireless 5 communications channel whereby said transceiver is displaced from a user's head such that any harmful effects caused by transmission of electromagnetic radiation from said transceiver is minimised. 8. A telephone accessory device, substantially as herein described with reference to the 10 accompanying drawings. AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) WO 99/60764 -8- PCT/AU99/00374 STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19 1. Delete the set of claims presently on file and insert the new set of claims attached hereto. The new claims distinguish the invention from the citations. None of the citations identified in the International Search Report disclose the 'inventive step' of separating the transmitter from the head, and particularly the brain, of the user, such that harmful effects of radiation, which may cause cancerous tumours or the like, is minimised. This is achieved, in the present invention, by separating the main body from the earpiece and microphone. Consequently, the present invention should be considered both novel and inventive.