AU722010B3

AU722010B3 - Hands-free device for mobile telephones

Info

Publication number: AU722010B3
Application number: AU27794/00A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Simon John White
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-05-18
Filing date: 2000-04-14
Publication date: 2000-07-20
Anticipated expiration: 2005-05-18
Also published as: AU2779400A

Description

Our Ref: 7466256 P/00/012 Regulation 3:2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION PETTY PATENT c Applicant(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Simon John White 9/109 Avoca Street Randwick New South Wales 2031 Australia DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Level 10, 10 Barrack Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Hands-free device for mobile telephones The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 5028 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.

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 Present day hands-free devices for mobile phones have a length of cord connecting the phone S: !•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.

•oo• °eaT•• S However, the cord can often prove an obstruction to many tasks when the mobile phone is not in use. To overcome this obstruction many users wind the cord around the mobile phone Sto 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.

This is due to the convenience of having one's hands available for alternative uses other than :i 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.

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 and ear pieces separate from the mouth and ear pieces of the mobile phone.

-2- In one broad form, the present invention provides an accessory device for a mobile telephone, said accessory device including a casing adapted to plug into a socket of said mobile telephone, said device also including a microphone and earpiece which is attached to a cord which is retractably housed within said casing when said mobile telephone is not in use, such that, when in use, said cord is withdrawn from said casing so that a transceiver of said mobile telephone for transmission of signals over a communications network is displaced apart from a user's head such that any harmful effects caused by transmission of electromagnetic radiation from said transceiver is minimised.

Preferably, said cord is retracted by a retraction means including a spring tension mechanism, or other mechanically biased mechanism.

go Also preferably, said retraction means retracts said cord in a spool-like manner.

Also preferably, said retraction mechanism includes a locking means to prevent automatic o retraction of said cord.

:i Also preferably, said retraction means is driven by an electric motor or the like.

In a further broad form, the present invention provides an accessory device for a mobile telephone, said accessory device including a microphone and earpiece which is connected to said mobile telephone by a secondary transceiver of relatively low power for wireless communications with said mobile telephone, whereby a relatively higher powered primary transceiver for transmission of signals over a communications network is displaced from a user's head such that any harmful effects caused by transmission of electromagnetic radiation from said primary transceiver is minimised.

-3- 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: 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 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 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 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.

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 The mouth piece 9, earpiece 10, and cord fixing clip 11, then act in the usual manner of 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.

-4- 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 shown in figure 3 to be integrally formed within the mouthpiece, allows wireless 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.

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.

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Claims

1. An accessory device for a mobile telephone, said accessory device including a casing adapted to plug into a socket of said mobile telephone, said device also including a microphone and earpiece which is attached to a cord which is retractably housed within said casing when said mobile telephone is not in use, such that, when in use, said cord is withdrawn from said casing so that a transceiver of said mobile telephone for transmission of signals over a communications network is displaced apart from a user's head such that any harmful effects caused by transmission of electromagnetic radiation from said transceiver is minimised.

2. An accessory device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cord is retracted by said retraction means including a spring tension mechanism or other mechanically biased mechanism, and whereby said cord is retracted in a spool like manner. 15

3. A telephone accessory device as claimed in claims 1 or wherein said retraction mechanism includes a locking means to prevent automatic retraction of said cord. DATED this 14th day of April, 2000 20 SIMON JOHN WHITE By Their Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE