CN220234746U - Device and system for audio playing by radio frequency signals - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and system for radio frequency signals for audio playback includes a transceiver and a processing module. The transceiver receives radio or intermediate frequency signals from a device separate from the cellular telephone. The radio frequency signal has been tuned to a selected frequency by the device. The intermediate frequency signal is a down-converted version of the radio frequency signal. Each of the radio and intermediate frequency signals includes content. The content has been frequency modulated and broadcast at a selected frequency before the transceiver receives the radio or intermediate frequency signal. The processing module down-converts the radio frequency or intermediate frequency signal to a baseband signal and converts the baseband signal to a digital signal. The processing module forwards the digital signal for audio playback from the content of the cellular telephone or to a transceiver to transmit the digital signal back to the device.

Description

Device and system for audio playing by radio frequency signals

Technical Field

The present utility model relates to cellular telephones and, more particularly, to an apparatus and system for radio frequency signals for audio playback.

Background

More and more consumers wish to purchase smaller cell phones. At the same time, consumers also want their cell phones to have more functionality. Both of these trends may present problems to cellular phone manufacturers because the need for increased functionality tends to increase the size of cellular phones.

The cellular telephone may include an MP3 player, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a WiFi or other network interface, a camera, a bluetooth interface, and/or other devices. Some new handsets also integrate FM radio receivers to allow users to receive analog and/or digital FM broadcasts. Multifunctional cellular telephones typically require multiple antennas to receive analog cellular signals, digital cellular signals, bluetooth signals, wiFi signals, and/or other types of wireless signals. If the handset has an FM receiver, another antenna of suitable size is required to receive the FM signal. Due to the compact size of cellular phones, it is not feasible to integrate a suitable frequency-modulated antenna within the overall dimensions of the cellular phone. In contrast, an antenna having a larger size is generally required and externally connected to a cellular phone. For example, the antenna may be combined with and/or run in the vicinity of a wire connecting the FM receiver to a headset such as an ear bud.

There are various ways to implement FM receivers. For purposes of illustration, a simplified block diagram of a superheterodyne and direct conversion transmitter and receiver architecture will be discussed, but other architectures may be used. Referring now to fig. 1A, an exemplary superheterodyne receiver 14-1 is shown. The receiver 14-1 includes an antenna 19 coupled to an optional RF filter 20 and a low noise amplifier 22. The output of amplifier 22 is coupled to a first input of mixer 24. A second input of the mixer 24 is connected to an oscillator 25 providing a reference frequency. The mixer 24 converts a Radio Frequency (RF) signal into an Intermediate Frequency (IF) signal.

The output of mixer 24 is connected to an optional IF filter 26 having an output coupled to an Automatic Gain Control Amplifier (AGCA) 32. The output of AGCA32 is coupled to first inputs of mixers 40 and 41. A second input of the mixer 41 is coupled to an oscillator 42 providing a reference frequency. A second input of the mixer 40 is connected to an oscillator 42 via a-90 deg. phase shifter 43. The mixers 40 and 41 convert the IF signal into a baseband (BB) signal. The outputs of mixers 40 and 41 are coupled to BB circuits 44-1 and 44-2, respectively. BB circuits 44-1 and 44-2 may include Low Pass Filters (LPF) 45-1 and 45-2 and gain blocks 46-1 and 46-2, respectively, although other BB circuits may be used. The mixer 40 generates an in-phase signal and outputs the same to the BB processor 47. The mixer 41 generates a quadrature-phase (Q) signal, and outputs the signal to the BB processor 47.

Referring now to FIG. 1B, an exemplary direct conversion receiver 14-2 is shown. The receiver 14-2 includes an antenna 19 coupled to an optional RF filter 20 and a low noise amplifier 22. The output of low noise amplifier 22 is coupled to first inputs of RF-to-BB mixers 48 and 50. The input of the second mixer 50 is connected to an oscillator 51 providing a reference frequency. A second input of mixer 48 is connected to an oscillator 51 through a-90 deg. phase shifter 52. Mixer 48 outputs an I signal to BB circuit 44-1. BB circuit 44-1 may include LPF45-1 and gain block 46-1. The output of the BB circuit 44-1 is input to the BB processor 47. Similarly, mixer 50 outputs a Q signal to BB circuit 44-2, which may include LPF45-2 and gain block 46-2. The output of the BB circuit 44-2 is output to the BB processor 47.

Disclosure of Invention

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, the present utility model provides an apparatus and a system for audio playback using radio frequency signals.

The technical scheme adopted for solving the technical problems is as follows:

an apparatus for radio frequency signal for audio playing, comprising a transceiver, a processing module, a control module, a mixer, and a transducer; wherein:

a transceiver that receives a radio frequency signal or an intermediate frequency signal from a device separate from the cellular telephone, wherein the radio frequency signal has been tuned to a selected frequency by the device, the intermediate frequency signal is a down-converted version of the radio frequency signal, the radio frequency signal includes content, the intermediate frequency signal includes content, and the content has been frequency modulated and broadcast at the selected frequency before the radio frequency signal or the intermediate frequency signal is received by the transceiver;

a processing module down-converting the radio frequency signal or intermediate frequency signal to a baseband signal and converting the baseband signal to a digital signal, wherein the digital signal includes content, and wherein the processing module forwards the digital signal for audio playback from the content of the cellular telephone or forwards the digital signal to a transceiver for transmission back to the device;

the transceiver transmitting the digital signal from the cellular telephone to the device;

a control module that receives input from a user and selects a frequency modulation station based on the input, wherein: content that is frequency modulated at a frequency selected for a frequency modulation station before being broadcast; the transceiver transmits an indication signal to the device indicating selection of the FM station and receives a radio frequency signal or an intermediate frequency signal based on the indication signal; the content is a frequency modulation station;

a plurality of mixers converting the intermediate frequency signal into a baseband signal, wherein a transceiver receives the intermediate frequency signal from the device and converts the radio frequency signal into the baseband signal;

a converter converting the digital signal into an analog signal; and a speaker configured to play the analog signal on the speaker.

A system comprising a device for radio frequency signals for audio playback; wherein the antenna receives a plurality of radio frequency signals broadcast to the device, the plurality of radio frequency signals including radio frequency signals received at a selected frequency, and the tuner is connected to the antenna and tuned to radio frequency signals received at the selected frequency.

Compared with the prior art, the utility model has the advantages that:

devices for radio frequency signals for audio playback may have more functionality.

Additional aspects and advantages of the utility model will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the utility model.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings that are required in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly described, it being obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the utility model, and that other drawings may be obtained according to these drawings without inventive effort for a person skilled in the art.

FIG. 1A is a functional block diagram of an exemplary FM receiver according to the prior art;

FIG. 1B is a functional block diagram of a second exemplary FM receiver according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a cellular telephone system including an exemplary remote device and an exemplary cellular telephone according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a functional block diagram of an earphone of the present utility model;

FIG. 3B is a functional block diagram of an earplug of the utility model;

FIG. 4A is a schematic illustration of a garment incorporating a remote device according to the present disclosure;

4B is a schematic illustration of a garment incorporating a remote device according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a more detailed functional block diagram of the cellular telephone system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of another cellular telephone system;

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of another cellular telephone system;

fig. 8 is a logic flow diagram illustrating a method of operating a cellular telephone system.

Detailed Description

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used in the drawings to identify similar elements. As used herein, the term module refers to an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality. As used herein, at least one of the phrases A, B and C should be construed to mean logic (a or B or C), using a non-exclusive logical or. It should be understood that the steps in the methods may be performed sequentially, simultaneously, or in a different order without altering the principles of the present disclosure.

An apparatus for radio frequency signals for audio playback includes a transceiver, a processing module, a control module, a mixer, and a transducer.

A transceiver that receives a radio frequency signal or an intermediate frequency signal from a device separate from the cellular telephone, wherein the radio frequency signal has been tuned to a selected frequency by the device, the intermediate frequency signal is a down-converted version of the radio frequency signal, the radio frequency signal includes content, the intermediate frequency signal includes content, and the content has been frequency modulated and broadcast at the selected frequency before the radio frequency signal or the intermediate frequency signal is received by the transceiver.

A processing module down-converts the radio frequency signal or intermediate frequency signal to a baseband signal and converts the baseband signal to a digital signal, wherein the digital signal includes content, and wherein the processing module forwards the digital signal for audio playback from the content of the cellular telephone or forwards the digital signal to a transceiver for transmission back to the device.

The transceiver transmits the digital signal from the cellular telephone to the device.

A control module that receives input from a user and selects a frequency modulation station based on the input, wherein: the content is frequency modulated at a frequency selected for the frequency modulation station before being broadcast. The transceiver transmits an indication signal to the device indicating the selection of the frequency modulation station and receives a radio frequency signal or an intermediate frequency signal based on the indication signal. The content is a frequency modulation station.

And a plurality of mixers for converting the intermediate frequency signal into a baseband signal, wherein the transceiver receives the intermediate frequency signal from the device and converts the radio frequency signal into the baseband signal.

And a converter converting the digital signal into an analog signal. And a speaker configured to play the analog signal on the speaker.

A system includes a device for radio frequency signals for audio playback. And an antenna that receives a plurality of radio frequency signals broadcast to the device, the plurality of radio frequency signals including radio frequency signals received at the selected frequency, a tuner coupled to the antenna and tuned to radio frequency signals received at the selected frequency.

The system also includes a second transceiver that transmits radio frequency signals, or intermediate frequency signals, received at the selected frequency to the cellular telephone.

The system further comprises: a headset comprising the device, a conductor, an antenna and a first speaker, wherein the conductor connects the device to the first speaker. The converter is configured to convert the digital signal to an analog signal, wherein the first speaker is configured to play the analog signal.

In the system, the antenna is adjacent to the conductor and extends between the device and the first speaker.

The system further includes a second speaker. The second speaker is used for playing the analog signal. And the antenna extends from the device away from the first speaker and toward the second speaker.

Example 1

An apparatus for radio frequency signals for audio playback, i.e. a cellular telephone, comprises a first wireless transceiver receiving Intermediate Frequency (IF) signals. The IF signal is based on Frequency Modulated (FM) signals that have been tuned by a remote device and down converted from Radio Frequency (RF) to IF. The frequency modulation processing module receives the intermediate frequency signal, converts the intermediate frequency signal into a baseband signal and generates a processed frequency modulation signal. In another feature, the cellular telephone further includes a cellular telephone processing module that performs cellular telephone signal processing. One of the first wireless transceiver and the frequency modulation processing module is integrated with the cellular telephone processing module in an integrated circuit. In another feature, the first wireless transceiver transmits the processed frequency modulated signal to a remote device. In yet another feature, the cellular telephone further includes a user interface that generates FM station selection data. The first wireless transceiver transmits the FM station selection data to the remote device. In another feature, a system includes a cellular telephone and further includes a remote device. The remote device generates an audio signal based on the processed FM signal.

In yet another feature, a system includes a cellular telephone and further includes a remote device. The remote device also includes an antenna and a tuner. The tuner communicates with the antenna and tunes the radio frequency. In an additional feature, the remote device further comprises an amplifier that amplifies the RF signal at the RF frequency. In a further feature, the remote device further includes a mixer that mixes the RF signal to generate the IF signal.

In another feature, the remote device further includes a second wireless transceiver that transmits the IF signal to the cellular telephone. In another feature, the remote device includes a user interface that communicates with the tuner to select an FM station.

In another feature, the first wireless transceiver and the FM processing module are implemented as an integrated circuit. In yet another feature, an apparatus is provided and includes receiving an Intermediate Frequency (IF) signal via a first wireless transceiver. The IF signal is based on Frequency Modulated (FM) signals that have been tuned by a remote device and down converted from Radio Frequency (RF) to IF. The IF signal is received by the FM processing module. The frequency modulation processing module converts the intermediate frequency signal into a baseband signal and generates a processed frequency modulation signal.

In another feature, the device includes transmitting the processed FM signal to a remote device. In yet another feature, the device further includes generating FM tuning data and transmitting the FM tuning data to a remote device. The communication mode fur further includes generating an audio signal based on the processed FM signal. In another feature, the device further includes communicating with the antenna via a tuner. Tuning the radio frequency. In another feature, the apparatus further comprises amplifying the RF signal at the RF frequency. In another feature, the apparatus further includes mixing the RF signals to generate the IF signal. In another feature, the apparatus includes transmitting the IF signal to a cellular telephone.

In another feature, the apparatus further includes communicating with a tuner to select an FM station.

In yet another feature, a cellular telephone is provided that includes a first wireless transceiver device for receiving an Intermediate Frequency (IF) signal based on a Frequency Modulated (FM) signal. The FM signal has been tuned by a remote device and down converted from Radio Frequency (RF) to IF. Comprises FM processing means for receiving the IF signal, converting the IF signal into a baseband signal, and generating a processed FM signal.

In another feature, the cellular telephone further comprises cellular telephone processing means for performing cellular telephone signal processing, at least one of the first wireless transceiver means and the FM processing means being integrated with the cellular telephone processing means in an integrated circuit.

In a further feature, the first wireless transceiver means transmits the processed FM signal to a remote device.

In another feature, the cellular telephone further includes user interface means for generating FM tuning data, and the first wireless transceiver means transmits the FM tuning data to the remote device.

In another feature, a system includes a cellular telephone and further includes a remote device that generates an audio signal based on the processed FM signal.

In yet another feature, a system includes a cellular telephone and further includes a remote device. The remote device further comprises an antenna and tuner means for communicating with the antenna and tuning the RF frequency. In another feature, the remote device further comprises amplifier means for amplifying the RF signal at the RF frequency. In an additional feature, the remote device further comprises mixer means for mixing the RF signal to generate the IF signal. In another feature, the remote device further comprises a second one of

Wireless transceiver means for transmitting the IF signal to the cellular telephone. In another feature, the remote device includes user interface means for communicating with the tuner means to select an FM station.

In another feature, the first wireless transceiver device and the FM processing device are implemented as integrated circuits. In another feature, a cellular telephone is provided that includes a first wireless transceiver that receives Radio Frequency (RF) signals. The RF signal includes a Frequency Modulated (FM) signal that has been tuned by a remote device. The frequency modulation processing module receives the radio frequency signal, converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal and generates a processed frequency modulation signal.

In another feature, the cellular telephone further includes a cellular telephone processing module that performs cellular telephone signal processing. One or more of the first wireless transceiver and the FM processing module are integrated with the cellular telephone processing module in an integrated circuit. In yet another feature, the first wireless transceiver transmits the processed signal to a remote device.

In another feature, the cellular telephone further includes a user interface that generates FM station selection data. The first radio transceiver transmits FM station selection data to the remote device. In yet another feature, the system includes a cellular telephone and further includes a remote device. The remote device generates an audio signal based on the processed FM signal. In another feature, a system includes a cellular telephone and further includes a remote device. The remote device also includes an antenna and a tuner in communication with the antenna and tuning the RF frequency. In another feature, the remote device further comprises an amplifier that amplifies the signal at the tuned RF frequency. In another feature, the remote device further includes a second wireless transceiver that transmits the IF signal to the cellular telephone.

In additional features, the first wireless transceiver and the FM processing module are implemented as integrated circuits.

In another feature, the FM processing module includes an Intermediate Frequency (IF) mixer that converts the RF signal to an IF signal. The BB mixer converts the IF signal into a BB signal.

In yet another feature, an apparatus is provided that includes receiving a Radio Frequency (RF) signal. The RF signal includes a Frequency Modulated (FM) signal that has been tuned by the remote device via the first wireless transceiver. A radio frequency signal is received. The RF signal is converted into a baseband signal. The processed FM signal is generated by an FM processing module.

In yet another feature, the device further comprises transmitting the processed signal to a remote device. In another feature, the device further includes generating and transmitting FM station selection data to the remote device. In another feature, the apparatus further comprises generating an audio signal based on the processed FM signal. In another feature, the device further includes communicating with an antenna and tuning the RF frequency. In yet another feature, the apparatus further comprises amplifying the signal at the tuned RF frequency. In another feature, the apparatus further comprises transmitting the IF signal to a cellular telephone.

In an additional feature, the apparatus further comprises converting the RF signal to an IF signal. The IF signal is converted into a BB signal.

In another feature, a cellular telephone is provided and includes a first wireless transceiver device for receiving Radio Frequency (RF) signals. The RF signal includes a Frequency Modulated (FM) signal that has been tuned by a remote device. Comprising FM processing means for receiving RF signals. The FM processing device converts the RF signal to a baseband signal and generates a processed FM signal.

In a further feature, the cellular telephone further comprises cellular telephone processing means for performing cellular telephone signal processing. One or more of the first wireless transceiver device and the FM processing device are integrated with the cellular telephone processing device in an integrated circuit. In another feature, the first wireless transceiver means transmits the processed signal to a remote device. In yet another feature, the cellular telephone further includes user interface means for generating FM channel selection data. The first wireless transceiver means transmits FM tuning data to the remote device. In another feature, a system includes a cellular telephone and further includes a remote device. The remote device generates an audio signal based on the processed FM signal.

In yet another feature, a system includes a cellular telephone and further includes a remote device. The remote device further comprises antenna means and tuner means for communicating with the antenna means and tuning the RF frequency. In another feature, the remote device further comprises amplifier means for amplifying the signal of the tuned RF frequency. In another feature, the remote device further comprises second wireless transceiver means for transmitting the IF signal to the cellular telephone. In another feature, the first wireless transceiver device and the FM processing device are implemented as integrated circuits.

In another feature, the FM processing means includes Intermediate Frequency (IF) mixer means for converting the RF signal to an IF signal. Further comprising BB mixer means for converting the IF signal into a BB signal. In another feature, a cellular telephone is provided and includes a first wireless transceiver that receives baseband (BB) signals. The BB signal is based on Frequency Modulated (FM) signals that have been tuned and down-converted from Radio Frequency (RF) to BB by the remote device. The FM processing module receives the BB signal and generates a processed FM signal according to the BB signal.

In yet another feature, the cellular telephone further includes a cellular telephone processing module that performs cellular telephone signal processing. One or more of the first wireless transceiver and the FM processing module are integrated with the cellular telephone processing module in an integrated circuit.

In another feature, the first wireless transceiver transmits the processed FM signal to a remote device.

In yet another feature, the cellular telephone further includes a user interface that generates FM station selection data. The first wireless transceiver transmits the FM station selection data to the remote device.

In another feature, a system includes a cellular telephone and further includes a remote device. The remote device also generates an audio signal based on the processed FM signal.

Example 2

Cellular telephone FM receivers typically have a number of related components such as tuners, low Noise Amplifiers (LNAs), oscillators, amplifiers, filters, converters, and so forth. A cellular telephone system according to the present utility model combines one or more such components with a handset. As a result, a part of the FM signal processing is remotely performed from the cellular phone. The cellular telephone continues and completes the FM signal processing as described in more detail below.

Reference is now made to the figures. Referring to fig. 2, a cellular telephone system 100 is shown and includes a remote device 110 and a cellular telephone 120. Cellular telephone system 100, remote device 110, and cellular telephone 120 are shown and are each considered a cellular telephone circuit. Remote device 110 includes a tuning module 124 that tunes to one or more selected frequencies (e.g., one or more FM radio stations). The tuning module 124 receives FM signals as input signals in communication 126 with one or more FM antennas. A Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) module 128 amplifies the selected FM signal and outputs the amplified signal to an analog-to-digital (a/D) converter module 130. The a/D converter 130 outputs a digital signal to the wireless interface module 132 device 110 of the remote controller. The wireless interface module 132 transmits wireless signals to the cellular phone 120 through the antenna 133. One or more components of remote device 110 may be integrated into a system on a chip (SOC). The user may use inputs on cellular telephone 120 and/or remote device 110 to select a particular FM station. Tuning data, such as frequency data, may also be received from the cellular telephone 120 and output to the tuner 124 if the user selects the FM radio interface 132 using the input of the cellular telephone 120. Alternatively, remote control device 110 may include user input 136 that allows a user to select a station, adjust volume, and/or perform other radio-based functions, such as selecting a preset station, setting a preset station, scanning, etc. User input by the cellular telephone 120 may also allow the user to adjust the volume and/or perform other radio-based functions such as selecting a preset station, setting a preset station, scanning, etc. The wireless interface 132 also receives processed FM radio signals from the cellular telephone 120. The received signal is output to a digital-to-analog (D/a) converter 142, which outputs an analog audio signal. The D/a converter 142 outputs the audio signal to an amplifier 144, and the amplifier 144 amplifies the audio signal and outputs the signal to an output 146, such as an output jack, speaker, or the like.

Other types of cellular telephones may also be used. The cellular telephone 120 includes a modified FM receiver or FM processing module 200 that communicates with the wireless interface module 168 of the cellular telephone 120. As will be described further below, the FM module 200 continues to process FM signals. When processing is complete, the frequency modulation module 200 outputs the processed frequency modulated signal to the signal processing and/or control module 152 and/or the wireless interface module 168. From the control module 152, the processed FM signal may be sent to the wireless interface 168 and/or the audio output 158. The wireless interface module 168 in turn transmits wireless signals to the wireless interface module 132 via the antenna 167. Remote device 110 receives the wireless signals and outputs the signals as described above.

In addition to audio output 158, which may be a speaker and/or an audio output jack, the cellular telephone 120 may also include a microphone 156, a display 160, and/or an input device 162, such as a keyboard, pointing device, voice drive, and/or other input device. The control module 152 and/or other circuitry (not shown) in the cellular telephone 120 may process data, perform coding and/or encryption, perform calculations, format data and/or perform other cellular telephone functions. In addition to antenna 167, the cellular telephone may have a cellular designated antenna 170. The cellular telephone 120 may be in communication with a mass data storage 164 that stores data in a nonvolatile manner, such as optical and/or magnetic storage devices, e.g., a hard disk drive hdd.hdd may be a mini HDD that includes one or more platters with a diameter that is less than 1.8 inches. The cellular telephone 120 may be connected to memory 166, such as RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage.

The cellular telephone 120 may also support connections with a WLAN via the wireless interface 168 and/or via an additional wireless interface (not shown). The wireless interface may conform to one or more of the following IEEE standards 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11h, 802.11n, 802.16, 802.20, and/or bluetooth. The control module 152 may be integrated with the FM module 200, the memory 166, and into a System On Chip (SOC). Reference is now made to the figures. As shown in fig. 3A, the remote device 110 may be packaged with a headset 220, the headset 220 including first and second housings 224 and 226. The first and second housings 224 and 226 enclose speakers 230 and 232, respectively. The remote device 110 may be in communication with the first and/or second

Housings 224 and 226. Housings 224 and 226 may be connected by a "C" shaped portion 230, with "C" shaped portion 230 supporting earphone 220 on the head of the user. The antenna 126 may pass through the "C" shaped portion 230. The housing 224 and/or 226 may also house a battery 240, the battery 240 powering the remote device 110. Reference is now made to fig. 2. Referring to fig. 3B, remote device 110 may be integrated with an earpiece 250, earpiece 250 being shown as including first and second earpieces 244 and 246, respectively. The first and second earpieces 244 and 246 include speakers 230 and 232, respectively. Earplugs 244 and 246 may include devices (not shown) that are physically attached to attach earplugs 244 and 246 to the ears of a user. Remote device 110 may be integrated with one or both of earplugs 244 and/or 246. Earplugs 244 and 246 may be connected by wires 260. The antenna 126 may be integrated with the wire 260 and/or routed adjacent to the wire 260. Earplugs 244 and/or 246 may also house battery 240, which provides power to remote device 110.

Reference is now made to fig. 1 and 2. In fig. 4A and 4B, remote device 110 may be attached to and/or inserted into garment 260. In fig. 4A, the garment 260 further includes a speaker 270 and a battery 272. In fig. 4B, earplugs 244 and 246 are connected to remote device 110 by wires 260 via their output jacks. Antenna 126 may be located adjacent to line 260. Other variations are also contemplated.

Interface 168 outputs signals to Intermediate Frequency (IF) mixers 304-1 and 304-2, which also receive reference signal outputs from oscillator 308. The intermediate signal outputs of IF mixers 304-1 and 304-2 are optionally input to BB mixers 312-1 and 312-2 by filters 310 and 312, respectively. BB mixers 312-1 and 312-2 also receive reference signal outputs from oscillator 316. The baseband signal outputs of BB mixers 312-1 and 312-2 are optionally filtered by filters 320 and 322 and input to signal processor 330, which processes the baseband frequency modulated signals. The processed FM signal is output by the signal processor 330 to the wireless network interface 168. The wireless network interface 168 transmits the processed signals to the wireless network interface 132. The wireless network interface 132 outputs the received processed signal as a digital-to-analog (D/a) converter 142. As described above, the D/a converter 142 outputs an analog signal to the amplifier 144. In the figure. Referring to fig. 6, an analog IF mixer 400 is integrated with remote device 110. The mixer 400 includes first and second mixers 410-1 and 410-2. The analog oscillator 414 outputs an oscillator signal to the mixers 410-1 and 410-2. The outputs of mixers 410-1 and 410-2 are optionally filtered by filters 414 and 416, respectively, and output to a/D converter 130. Referring to fig. 7, an analog IF mixer 400 is integrated with remote device 110. Furthermore, analog BB mixer 430 is integrated with remote device 110. The mixer 430 includes first and second mixers 432-1 and 432-2. The analog oscillator 434 outputs an oscillator signal to the mixers 432-1 and 432-2. The outputs of mixers 432-1 and 432-2 are optionally filtered (not shown) and output to a/D converter 130. It will be appreciated that one or both of the mixers 400, 430 may be implemented in the digital domain by adjusting the position

Operation of the a/D converter 130 in the remote device 110. Referring to fig. 8, a logic flow diagram illustrating a method of operating a cellular telephone system is shown. Although the following steps are described primarily with respect to the embodiment of fig. 1. With reference to fig. 2, these steps may be readily modified to include other embodiments of the present utility model, some of which are described above. In step 500, the remote device receives FM station data. FM station data may be received from user input of a remote device or may be received wirelessly from a cellular telephone using a wireless interface, such as interfaces 132, 168. In step 502, the tuner of the remote device tunes to an FM radio based on FM radio data. In step 504, an FM radio signal is received via a first antenna, such as antenna 126. In step 506, the FM signal is amplified to produce an amplified signal. The FM signal may be amplified by an LNA, such as LNA128.

In step 508, the amplified signal is converted into a digital signal or a preprocessed FM signal. The amplified signal may be a converter using an a/D converter, such as a/D converter 130. In step 510, the preprocessed FM signal is wirelessly transmitted as a wireless signal to the cellular telephone via a second antenna, such as antenna 133, note that additional steps may be incorporated between steps 504-510 to perform additional FM signal processing as described above and below. For example, additional steps may be incorporated to include the generation of intermediate frequency signals and baseband signals, as well as the filtering of such signals.

In step 512, the cellular telephone receives the preprocessed FM signal as an input signal via an antenna (e.g., antenna 167). In step 514, the preprocessed FM signal is passed to an FM processing module, such as FM processing module 200, via a wireless interface. In step 516, the FM processing module or some other cellular telephone processor or control module completes processing of the originally received FM signal. The preprocessed FM signal is converted into a processed FM signal. In step 518, the processed FM signal from step 116 is transmitted to a remote device for audio output thereof or audio output of a cellular telephone. Of course, the processed FM signal or data related thereto may be stored in the memory of the cellular telephone or in the memory of the remote device. The above-described approach eliminates some of the disadvantages associated with the need to directly connect a long FM antenna to a cellular telephone.

Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad teachings of the present disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes particular examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims.

Claims (6)

1. An apparatus for radio frequency signal for audio playing, comprising a transceiver, a processing module, a control module, a mixer, and a transducer; wherein:

a transceiver that receives a radio frequency signal or an intermediate frequency signal from a device separate from the cellular telephone, wherein the radio frequency signal has been tuned to a selected frequency by the device, the intermediate frequency signal is a down-converted version of the radio frequency signal, the radio frequency signal includes content, the intermediate frequency signal includes content, and the content has been frequency modulated and broadcast at the selected frequency before the radio frequency signal or the intermediate frequency signal is received by the transceiver;

a processing module down-converting the radio frequency signal or intermediate frequency signal to a baseband signal and converting the baseband signal to a digital signal, wherein the digital signal includes content, and wherein the processing module forwards the digital signal for audio playback from the content of the cellular telephone or forwards the digital signal to a transceiver for transmission back to the device;

the transceiver transmitting the digital signal from the cellular telephone to the device;

a control module that receives input from a user and selects a frequency modulation station based on the input, wherein: content that is frequency modulated at a frequency selected for a frequency modulation station before being broadcast; the transceiver transmits an indication signal to the device indicating selection of the FM station and receives a radio frequency signal or an intermediate frequency signal based on the indication signal; the content is a frequency modulation station;

a plurality of mixers converting the intermediate frequency signal into a baseband signal, wherein a transceiver receives the intermediate frequency signal from the device and converts the radio frequency signal into the baseband signal;

a converter converting the digital signal into an analog signal; and a speaker configured to play the analog signal on the speaker.

2. A system comprising a device for radio frequency signals for audio playback; wherein the antenna receives a plurality of radio frequency signals broadcast to the device, the plurality of radio frequency signals including radio frequency signals received at a selected frequency, and the tuner is connected to the antenna and tuned to radio frequency signals received at the selected frequency.

3. The system of claim 2; wherein the second transceiver is further included, the second transceiver transmitting radio frequency signals, or intermediate frequency signals, received at the selected frequency to the cellular telephone.

4. The system of claim 2; characterized by further comprising: a headset comprising the device, a conductor, an antenna and a first speaker, wherein the conductor connects the device to the first speaker; the converter is configured to convert the digital signal to an analog signal, wherein the first speaker is configured to play the analog signal.

5. The system of claim 4; characterized in that the antenna is adjacent to the conductor and extends between the device and the first speaker.

6. The system of claim 2; the loudspeaker is characterized by further comprising a second loudspeaker; the second loudspeaker is used for playing the analog signal; and the antenna extends from the device away from the first speaker and toward the second speaker.