Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
  • H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
  • H04M1/0202—Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets
  • H04M1/026—Details of the structure or mounting of specific components
  • H04M1/0262—Details of the structure or mounting of specific components for a battery compartment
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04B—TRANSMISSION
  • H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
  • H04B1/38—Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
  • H04B1/3805—Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving with built-in auxiliary receivers
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04B—TRANSMISSION
  • H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
  • H04B1/38—Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
  • H04B1/3827—Portable transceivers
  • H04B1/3883—Arrangements for mounting batteries or battery chargers

Definitions

• This invention relates in general to selective call receivers, and more particularly to a selective call receiver in a battery of a two-way communication device.
• a cellular telephone with a selective call receiver (pager).
• pager a selective call receiver
• the user may widely distribute the number for her selective call receiver while restricting the number to her cellular telephone.
• the user can then determine, from the telephone number or any accompanying messages, whether to call back on her cellular telephone.
• the cellular telephone and the selective call receiver have separate receiving circuits so both devices may operate, i.e., receive messages independent of each other or even simultaneously.
• conventional cellular telephone has a limited power supply and under normal operating conditions is unable to provide a "talk-time" long enough for most users.
• the display typically resorts to the use of icons to indicate the status of the battery in order to communicate this additional information on these small displays. Since there is no standardization of icons between phone manufacturers, the user is required to remember and recognize a different set of symbols for each cellular telephone that he uses. It would be more universally understood if the phone simply displayed the message "low battery” instead of requiring the user to recognize some "non-standard” icon.
• a display device which is modular, so as to be adaptable for removable attachment to existing cellular telephones to allow a user to read, with minimal keystrokes and scrolling, an entire message. It would be further desirable to provide such a modular device that shares a battery with the cellular telephone.
• FIGS. 1-2 are perspective views of two types of batteries for a cellular telephone according to the prior art.
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cellular telephone with a battery having a selective call receiver in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the battery disconnected from the cellular telephone according to FIG. 3.
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the battery including a selective call receiver disconnected from the cellular telephone in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the battery including a selective call receiver disconnected from the cellular telephone in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 7 is an electrical block diagram of the cellular telephone and the selective call receiver coupled to the battery in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a detachable module in accordance with the a fourth embodiment of the present invention attached to a cellular telephone.
• FIG. 9 is an exploded view of FIG. 8.
• FIG. 10 is a reverse view of FIG. 9.
• FIG. 11 is an exploded plan view of FIG. 8.
• FIG. 12 is a plan view of FIG. 8;
• FIGS. 1 and 2 show two perspective views of prior art batteries, for example, the Motorola MICROTACTM cellular telephone.
• the battery illustrated in FIG. 1 shows a battery size having a shorter "talk-time," and the battery illustrated in FIG. 2 shows a battery size having a longer "talk- time".
• the cellular telephone can be attached to either batteries shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 by slidably coupling and decoupling the battery to and from the rear of the cellular telephone.
• the cellular telephone which has a battery comprising a selective call receiver in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• the combination cellular telephone 300 has a housing 302 and a retractable antenna 304 for receiving and transmitting communication to and from the cellular telephone 300.
• the battery 306 is mechanically and electrically coupled to the housing 302 for providing power to the cellular telephone.
• An outer surface (or housing) 308 of the battery 306 similarly forms (or comprises) the housing for the selective call receiver enclosed within the battery 306.
• a power supply (or power source) enclosed within the housing 308 of the battery 306 provides power to the cellular telephone 300 including the selective call receiver enclosed within the battery 306. Without increasing the external sizes of the batteries shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the power supply of FIG.
• a display 310 is positioned on and integrally coupled to the housing 308 of the battery 306 for displaying messages received by the selective call receiver or the cellular telephone to be discussed in details below.
• Control buttons 312, coupled to the housing 308 of the battery 306, enable the user to control the selective call receiver and to manipulate the messages received by the selective call receiver by storing, retrieving and discarding the messages.
• the battery 306 further comprises connections 314 for coupling the battery 306 to an external charger (not shown).
• a release button 316 is provided on the battery 306 for unlocking the battery 306 from the housing 302 of the cellular telephone to permit the battery 306 to be decoupled and disconnected from the cellular telephone.
• FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the battery decoupled and disconnected from the cellular telephone according to FIG. 3.
• the battery 306 comprises a mechanical interface 402 having alternate sets of interlocking rails and an electrical interface composed of pressure contacts for coupling and connecting the cellular telephone to the battery 306.
• the battery 306 When the battery 306 is coupled and connected to the cellular telephone, the cellular telephone operates independent of the selective call receiver. Therefore, the cellular telephone can be in use while the selective call receiver is receiving a page (selective call message). Furthermore, even when the cellular telephone is turned-off, the selective call receiver is still capable of receiving selective call messages.
• the battery 306 can be disconnected from the cellular telephone thereby disabling the cellular telephone while keeping the selective call receiver fully capable of receiving selective call messages. In this way, the battery 306 of the cellular telephone when disconnected operates as an independent selective call receiver which is powered by the power supply of the cellular telephone battery 306.
• the housing 308 of the battery forms the housing enclosure 308 for the selective call receiver.
• FIG. 5 a perspective view of the battery disconnected from the cellular telephone including the selective call receiver is shown in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
• the battery 500 according to the second embodiment comprises a battery door 502 which provides access to a secondary battery 726 (FIG. 7) for providing back-up power for the selective call receiver.
• a secondary battery 726 FIG. 7
• FIG. 6 a perspective view of the battery disconnected from the cellular telephone having the selective call receiver is shown in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
• the battery 600 is shown with a belt clip 602 coupled to the mechanical interface 402 of housing enclosure 308 of the battery.
• the belt clip 602 comprises a mechanical interface 604 similar to the mechanical interface 402 of the battery 306 but is capable of mating thereto for attaching the belt clip 602 to the housing 308 of the battery.
• the mechanical interface 604 comprises a slidable coupling that enables the belt clip 602 to be slidably coupled to the battery via the mechanical interface 402 of the battery which similarly has a slidable coupling.
• the belt clip is attached to the battery by sliding on as shown by the arrow 606.
• the battery 308 provides power to the selective call receiver contained within the housing 308 to enable the selective call receiver to function while the battery is disconnected from the selective call receiver. Therefore, the battery 306 when disconnected from the cellular telephone can be carried as a separate and independent unit from the cellular telephone. In this way, the battery of the cellular telephone including the selective call receiver can be disconnected and carried separately from the cellular telephone.
• the selective call receiver can function even when the cellular telephone is turned-off. This ensures that the user can determine when to respond to a page depending on the priority the user attaches to the message received on the selective call receiver.
• a user when a user determines that the probability of having her cellular telephone stolen is high, she can disconnect the cellular telephone from the battery. The cellular telephone can then be left in a secure place while the battery can be connected to the belt clip 602 and carried as a selective call receiver enabling the user to still be in constant communication without compromising the safety of her cellular telephone.
• the cellular telephone 702 comprises a two-way communication circuitry 702 and a mechanical interface (discussed above) for coupling to the battery 704 of the cellular telephone (or portable device).
• the battery (power supply) 704 preferable comprises a size capable of fitting in the battery shown in FIG. 1 to provide sufficient space to incorporate the selective call receiver and any additional circuitry.
• the battery housing as discussed above, has a similar mechanical interface which enables the battery to be mechanically and electrically coupled to the cellular telephone 702.
• the battery 704 for the cellular telephone 702 is capable of providing six (6) volts to power the cellular telephone 702 and a typical battery for a selective call receiver is capable of providing one-and-one-half (1.5) volts. Therefore, a regulator 706 coupled between the cellular telephone 702 and the selective call receiver regulates (a voltage) the six volts supply from the battery 704 down to one-and-one-half volts supply for providing power to the selective call receiver 710.
• the battery 704 comprises a plurality of cells
• the desired one-and-one-half volts can be obtained by coupled to the required number of cells of the plurality of cells to obtain the required voltage.
• the selective call receiver 710, the battery 704 and the regulator 706 are coupled together 708 in the battery housing.
• the selective call receiver 710 is connected to outputs from the regulator 706 which provides the required one-and- one-half voltage supply to the selective call receiver 710.
• the selective call receiver 710 comprises an antenna 712 coupled to a receiver 714 for receiving messages addressed to the selective call receiver 710.
• a decoder/controller 716 decodes the received messages and processes the decoded message which is stored in a memory 720.
• an alert 718 alerts the user of the received message which can be stored in the memory 720 or displayed on the display 722.
• the selective call receiver is coupled to a secondary battery 726, for example a "AAA" battery, by techniques well known to one skilled in the art, to produce one-and-one-half volts for powering the selective call receiver 710.
• a secondary battery 726 for example a "AAA" battery
• An optional switch 724 that automatically or manually disconnects and connects the selective call receiver to the secondary battery 726. Therefore, when the battery 704 is discharged below one-and-one-half volts, the secondary (back-up) battery 726 provides a back-up power supply to the selective call receiver.
• the selective call receiver alternatively can be attached in the battery as a plug-in module illustrated by plug-in connectors 730, 732 well known to one skilled in the art to enable the selective call receiver circuitry to be removed and replaced when said battery is being recharged. As shown, the cellular telephone 702 and the selective call receiver
• the cellular telephone 702 and the selective call receiver 710 can be used simultaneously and independently of each other because both devices operate independently of each other since the cellular telephone 702 and the selective call receiver 710 share the battery 704.
• the cellular telephone generally has a coverage area that is more limited than a selective call receiver, and the per minute charges of a cellular telephone are more expensive when compared with the monthly charges for a selective call receiver. Therefore, by including a selective call receiver in the battery of a cellular telephone, when the battery is discharged below a voltage level (level) for operating the cellular telephone, the battery can be disconnected from the cellular telephone and be carried as an independent unit capable of receiving pages.
• the battery when the battery is discharged below the required the voltage level to operate the cellular telephone, the battery can be disconnected from the cellular telephone and still operate independently as a selective call receiver. Furthermore, when the cellular telephone is disconnected, the current drain on the battery is reduced thereby increasing the battery life for the selective call receiver. Accordingly, the selective call receiver enclosed in the battery of the cellular telephone will have an extended battery life because the cellular battery is a six volt battery and the selective call receiver only requires 1.5 volts. Therefore, when the cellular telephone has discharged the battery below the voltage level of operation, the selective call receiver requiring one-and-one-half volts will still be able to operate for a long period of time.
• the cellular telephone can be carried in its off-position to prevent indiscriminate calls because the selective call receiver is able to receive pages while the cellular telephone is off. Therefore, the user can then determine from the number or the message which calls to return. Furthermore, this combination cellular/selective call receiver provides a latent safety measure for the cellular telephone because when the battery is discharged below the voltage level to operate the cellular telephone, the cellular telephone can be disconnected from the battery and be left in a secure place while the belt-clip is attached to the battery for securing the cellular battery /selective call receiver to the user.
• a battery for powering a cellular telephone comprises a selective call receiver, a regulator coupled to the selective call receiver for regulating a voltage of the battery for powering the selective call receiver, and a slidable coupling slidably decouples the battery from the cellular telephone.
• the battery also provides power to the selective call receiver when decoupled from the cellular telephone.
• a belt clip couples to the battery to enable the selective call receiver to be carried independent of the cellular telephone, and a secondary battery (back-up battery), enclosed within the battery, provides a back-up power supply for the selective call receiver.
• a housing of the battery also encloses the selective call receiver within the battery.
• the housing further comprises a display coupled to an outer surface for displaying messages received by the selective call receiver or the cellular telephone.
• a detachable module for use with a two-way communication device comprising a display screen for displaying information received or transmitted by the two-way communication device, an electrical connector operably attached to the display screen and adapted for electrical connection to a two-way communication device and the detachable module are adapted for removable attachment to the two-way communication device.
• a detachable module 10 is shown preferably comprising a selective call receiver for use with a two-way communication device 12.
• the detachable module 10 preferably includes a selective call receiver as described in reference to FIG. 7.
• the detachable module 10 alternatively includes a display screen 14 for displaying information received or transmitted by the two-way communication device 12 and the selective call receiver.
• the two-way communication device 12 is preferably a cellular telephone, as shown.
• device 12 could be another type of two-way communication device such as modem for land line telephone circuitry, a cellular modem, a cordless telephone, a specialized mobile radio (SMR), a personal communication system (PCS) device, or a personal digital assistant (PDA).
• SMR specialized mobile radio
• PCS personal communication system
• PDA personal digital assistant
• the detachable module 10 preferably also includes electrical interfaces 16 and 18 for operably attaching additional equipment (not shown) to the detachable module 10, thereby enhancing the capabilities of the detachable module 10 and communication device 12.
• the electrical interfaces 16 and 18 are preferably the RS-232 interface and infrared interface shown but could be any other interface or connection necessary to enable the desired additional equipment, such as a duplicate of the connector 30 shown in FIG. 9.
• the additional equipment could include such devices as printers, fax machines, PDAs, personal computers, or other equipment for transmitting, receiving, or manipulating data through the communication device 12.
• a standard connection 20 for charging an energy source module or battery 22 is also provided.
• Control buttons 24 include the power button for the selective call receiver and provide such other features as scrolling or menu options for the display the received paging messages or two-way messages.
• the buttons 24 may be as shown or provided on the display as touch pads on the screen 14 or implemented as virtual buttons on the display 14.
• the detachable module 10 includes a body portion 26 and tail section 28.
• the tail section 28 is configured so that it extends beyond energy source (battery) 22 to allow for attachment to communication device 12 through externally accessible electrical connector 30.
• energy source 22 battery
• the physical configuration of detachable module 10 depends on the physical configuration of energy source 22 and communication device 12, as well as the location of electrical connector 30. This module configuration provides the advantage of allowing the detachable module to be easily attached to other compatible energy sources 22 and communication devices 12.
• the detachable module 10 including the selective call receiver and communication device 12 are preferably powered by same energy source 22 via connection 32, which contacts connections 20 and 34.
• the energy source 22 can be used more effectively to power both the detachable module 10 having the selective call receiver and the communication device 12.
• Energy source 22 can be adapted to be removably attached to both the detachable module 10 and the communication device 12; or the detachable module 10 can simply be attached directly to communication device 12 (not shown).
• FIGs. 10 and 11 there is shown an electrical connector 36 operably attached to the detachable module 10 and adapted for electrical connection to the communication device 12 via electrical connector 30. Connectors 30 and 36 provide the electrical interface between the detachable module 10 and communication device 12 as well as enhancing attachment of the module 10 to the device 12.
• FIG. 12 is a side elevation view showing the detachable module 10, the energy source 22, and the communication device 12 interconnected to one another. It can be seen from FIG. 12 that the detachable module 10 provides a compact, streamlined design enabling the detachable module 10 to be attached to communication device 12 so that the detachable module having the selective call receiver takes up a minimum amount of space while maximizing the display screen 14 size to the form factor of the communication device 12.
• the screen 14 can display information in the form of text, graphics, or icons.
• a partial list of possible applications provided by detachable module 10 includes: send and end functions, back lighting, incoming message or call indicator, voice mail, caller ID., memory full indicator, voice and ringer volume adjustments, last number redial, battery meter, signal strength indicator, phone locked /unlocked indicator, no service indicator, in-use indicator, roam indicator, home or non-home type system, non-standard programmed options indicator, system busy indicator, system registration, customer service number, time /date functions, lock message function, and a display of the phone number or multiple phone numbers of the communication device 12.
• send and end functions back lighting, incoming message or call indicator, voice mail, caller ID., memory full indicator, voice and ringer volume adjustments, last number redial, battery meter, signal strength indicator, phone locked /unlocked indicator, no service indicator, in-use indicator, roam indicator, home or non-home type system, non-standard programmed options indicator, system busy indicator, system registration, customer service number, time /date functions, lock message function, and a display of the phone number
• the detachable module 10 establishes electrical connection at the connector 36 to the cellular telephone 12. It attaches to a standard or a modified battery pack 22 that is compatible with the cellular telephone 12. Obviously, the cellular phone 12 may be used in the standard configuration without the detachable module 10 for operation as strictly a cellular telephone. As described above, the detachable module 10 may be powered through the connection 32 of the battery 22. This allows the battery 22 to provide power to both the cellular telephone 12 and the detachable module 10 having the selective call receiver concurrently.
• the detachable module 10 has access to all of the features supported by the device 12 or could operate independently as a the display for the selective call receiver within the detachable module. This allows enhanced operation, as any of the features of the cellular telephone, that normally would not be utilized due to the small size of the display can be made available to the user.
• devices that communicate with the cellular telephone 12 can make use of the larger display screen 14 to indicate device status and other information that the user may require.
• This larger display 14 also allows cellular telephone diagnostic messages to be displayed without having to attach another device to the cellular telephone 12 in order to read the messages.
• a specific embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described. Further modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art. Such modifications may include providing additional electrical interfaces or different types of buttons to control the detachable module 10. What is claimed is:

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• 1996
  • 1996-01-25 CA CA002211089A patent/CA2211089A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1996-01-25 JP JP8523589A patent/JPH11500588A/ja active Pending
  • 1996-01-25 WO PCT/US1996/000813 patent/WO1996024197A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1996-01-25 EP EP96902167A patent/EP0873596A1/en not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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