Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
  • H04M1/60—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers including speech amplifiers
  • H04M1/6033—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers including speech amplifiers for providing handsfree use or a loudspeaker mode in telephone sets
  • H04M1/6041—Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
  • H04M1/6058—Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use involving the use of a headset accessory device connected to the portable telephone
  • H04M1/6066—Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use involving the use of a headset accessory device connected to the portable telephone including a wireless connection
• • 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
  • H04M1/04—Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
  • H04M1/05—Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast

Definitions

• Wireless assembly comprising a headset and an intermediate module connected to a mobile telephone.
• the invention relates to an assembly comprising a headset and an intermediate module connected to a mobile telephone, the headset and the intermediate module each comprising a transceiver circuit for communicating digital data at a predetermined transmission frequency.
• the document WO-A-0108386 describes the transmission of digital data, at frequencies of 27 or 48MHz, between an earpiece, comprising a transponder, and an accessory connected to the mobile telephone.
• the assembly described cannot function correctly. Indeed, the frequencies selected are not suitable for transmitting digital data at a high speed, necessary for voice transmission.
• the transponder shown in this document, of the conventional analog type is not suitable for transmitting digital data and is easily disturbed.
• the object of the invention is a hands-free assembly which does not have the drawbacks of known assemblies, in particular as regards the risk to the health of a user.
• transceiver circuits of the headset and of the intermediate module are digital transceiver circuits using phase modulation, the headset and the intermediate module communicating digital data, alternately, at a frequency less than 1 GHz, under the control of respective microprocessor control circuits connected to the digital transceiver circuits, the control circuit of the headset providing synchronization signals to the control circuit of the intermediate module.
• Another object of the invention is to facilitate the use of the assembly as much as possible.
• this object is achieved by the fact that, the headset comprising means for powering the headset and a control button, the latter simultaneously controls the power supply to the headset and picking up and hanging up the telephone, via the intermediate module, the control circuit of which is connected, via a control output of the intermediate module, to a control input of the telephone.
• the intermediate module is a standard module, connected to the telephone by a connector comprising a microprocessor containing the particular communication protocol of the telephone to which it is connected.
• the microphone of the headset is telescopic and actuated automatically by the control button of the headset.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a particular embodiment of an assembly according to the invention
• FIG. 2 represents the earpiece of the assembly according to FIG. 1, with the telescopic microphone in the retracted position
• FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively represent, in the form of a block diagram, an intermediate module and an earpiece of an assembly according to the FIG. 1
• FIGS. 5a to 5f illustrate different electrical signals generated in an assembly according to the invention
• FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a personalized connector which can be placed between the intermediate module and the mobile telephone.
• the assembly shown in Figure 1 is intended to allow hands-free use of a mobile phone 1 of conventional type.
• the assembly consists of an earpiece 2 and an intermediate module 3, intended to communicate with each other by a wireless link, wirelessly.
• the intermediate module is connected to the mobile telephone 1 by any suitable means. It is preferably fixed by snap-fastening to the mobile telephone, via a connector, so as to form a unit with the telephone.
• the headset 2 includes an earpiece 4 and a microphone 5.
• the microphone 5 is connected to the body of the headset 2 by a rod 6, which acts as an antenna for the headset.
• the antenna 6 for supporting the microphone 5 can be telescopic, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively in the use position and in the retracted position.
• the intermediate module 3, shown in the form of a block diagram in FIG. 3, comprises an audio input 7 and an audio output 8 connected, respectively, to complementary audio output and input of the telephone 1.
• the audio input 7 is connected to a circuit 9 of analog-digital conversion (A / D) and audio output 8 to a circuit 10 of digital-analog conversion (D / A).
• the conversion circuits 9 and 10 are both connected to a control circuit 11, with a microprocessor, itself connected to a circuit 12 for digital transmission-reception (digital I / O).
• the digital transceiver circuit 12 comprises, in a known manner, digital circuits for digital phase modulation and demodulation using phase and quadrature phase signals (I and Q).
• the headset 2 shown in the form of a block diagram in FIG. 4, has an audio input 13 and an audio output 14 connected, respectively, to the microphone 5 and to the earpiece 4 of the headset.
• the audio input 13 is connected to a circuit 15 for analog-digital conversion (A / D) and the audio output 14 to a circuit 16 for digital-analog conversion (D / A).
• the conversion circuits 15 and 16 are both connected to a control circuit 17, with microprocessor, comprising a cycle time base 31.
• the control circuit 17 is connected to a digital transmission-reception circuit 18 (E / R digital), of the same type as circuit 12, connected to rod 6 serving as antenna for the headset.
• E / R digital digital transmission-reception circuit 18
• the headset 2 and the intermediate module 3 communicate data converted to digital form at a predetermined transmission frequency located in a range of radio frequencies.
• the transmission frequency is less than 1 GHz, preferably of the order of 434 MHz or of the order of 868 MHz, these frequencies being able, in Europe in particular, to be used without requiring any specific authorization. These frequencies do not allow analog transmission of audio signals, these are converted into digital form, both in the headset and in the intermediate module.
• the frequency bands chosen are narrow and do not allow full duplex duplex transmission.
• the transmission therefore takes place, in known manner, in half-duplex (“half duplex”), under the control of the control circuit 17 of the headset.
• the purely digital transmission-reception circuits 12 and 18 use the phase modulation of the signals to be transmitted, which makes it possible to significantly improve protection against disturbances. In fact, all users using the same transmission frequency, there is a risk of proximity interference between two neighboring sets. The amplitude modulation used by analog transceivers offers little protection in this regard.
• the use of digital transceiver circuits, using phase modulation, both in the headset 2 and in the intermediate module 3, makes it possible to increase the interference distance significantly. For example, the interference distance can be multiplied by a factor of 4, for example from 2m to 8m.
• the control circuit 17 of the atrium produces binary control signals C-, illustrated in FIG. 5a.
• the signals C- take a first predetermined value, 1 in the particular embodiment shown, to authorize the transmission between instants t 0 and t 4 , the time interval separating the instants t 0 and t 4 being equal or less than half a Tp / 2 emission period.
• the signals C- take a second predetermined value, 0 in the particular embodiment shown, between the instant t 4 and an instant t ⁇ marking the start of a new transmission period.
• the control circuit 17 of the headset controls the transmission of digital data (E 1 ( FIG. 5b) by the digital transmission-reception circuit 18 of the headset.
• Transmission begins at an instant t ,, slightly offset from the instant t 0 , by the transmission of address bits up to an instant t 2 and bits of data until time t 3 .
• the control circuit 11 controls the transmission of digital data (E 2 , FIG. 5e) by the digital transmission-reception circuit 12 of the intermediate module.
• Headset 2 is the source of all communications, whether calls or receiving calls. It plays the role of a master element, while the intermediate module 3 plays the role of a slave element. The intermediate module only responds with its own frame to any digital audio frame coming from the headset.
• the headset 2 further comprises a control button 19 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 4), preferably arranged on a part of the headset located behind the lobe of the user's ear when the latter is wearing headset. This button should be easy to access and relatively large.
• the control button 19 has a first function, for switching on the headset. As shown in FIG. 4, the control button 19 is interposed between the power supply means of the headset, preferably consisting of a small battery 20, and the various electronic circuits (15, 17, 18) of the headset to be powered.
• the control button 19 preferably has a second function, for remote control of the telephone.
• This function makes it possible to automatically control the off-hook and off-hook of the telephone by a simple press on the control button 19, respectively when the headset is started and when it is switched off.
• the first data transmitted by the headset in a first transmission phase following its start-up is not constituted by audio data, but by an order to pick up the telephone. This order is then received by the control circuit of the intermediate module 3 associated with the headset, which transmits it to the telephone via a control output 21 connected to a complementary control input of the telephone.
• an order to hang up the telephone is transmitted to the telephone control input via the control circuit 11 of the intermediate module.
• the control button simultaneously has a third function, for actuating the microphone 5 of the headset when the microphone is telescopic ( Figures 1 and 2). Energizing the control circuit 17 of the headset automatically causes the momentary supply of a small motor 22 for actuating the rod 6 for supporting the microphone 5 (FIG. 4).
• the order to pick up and hang up the phone implies that the orders are transmitted to the phone in an appropriate form, understood by the latter.
• the control circuit 11 of the intermediate module can be configured so as to allow the remote control of a predetermined type of telephone.
• a memory can contain all of the communication protocols adapted to different types of telephone, the personalization of the assembly to adapt it being carried out as late as possible.
• the intermediate module 3 is a standard module transmitting simple binary signals on its control output 21, for example a signal 1 for controlling a change of state of the telephone, that is to say the dropout or hang up as appropriate.
• the adaptation of the telephone control signals is then carried out inside a connector 23 interposed between the intermediate module and the telephone.
• the personalization of the assembly is then carried out by the choice of an appropriate connector.
• the user who changes the type of phone can then reuse the same set by changing only the connector.
• FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a personalized connector 23 which can be arranged between a standard intermediate module and the telephone.
• the connector 23 has a first audio input 24, intended to be connected to the audio output of the telephone. It also has a first audio output 25, which is directly connected to the first audio input 24 and which is intended to be connected to the audio input 7 of the intermediate module 3. It also has a second audio output 26, intended to be connected to the audio input of the telephone, and a second audio input 27, which is directly connected to the second audio input 26 and which is intended to be connected to the audio output 8 of the intermediate module 3.
• the connector 6 further comprises a microprocessor 28, disposed between a control input 29, intended to be connected to the control output 21 of the intermediate module, and a control output 30, intended to be connected to the control input of the telephone.
• the microprocessor is personalized to ensure the adaptation of the off-hook and on-hook signals, which are supplied to it by the intermediate module, to the type of telephone used.
• the headset and the intermediate module therefore constitute a universal wireless assembly, suitable for all types of telephone if the remote control function of the telephone is not used. If this function is desired, the assembly can easily be adapted to any type of telephone thanks to the personalized connector.
• the distance separating the earpiece (2) from the intermediate module (3) fixed on the mobile telephone (1) is always limited, generally of the order of a few meters at most.
• the power emitted to ensure transmission can therefore be limited.
• the transmitted power is less than 1mW.
• Data is transmitted at a speed of 16kbits / s between the control circuits (11, 17) and the conversion circuits (9, 10; 15, 16) and with a speed of 64kbits / s between the control circuits (11 , 17) and the transceiver circuits (12, 18).
• the combination of the use of radio frequencies and a low emission power makes the unit perfectly harmless for the health of the user.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Otolaryngology (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Telephone Function (AREA)
• Telephone Set Structure (AREA)
• Transceivers (AREA)
• Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=8861752

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Families Citing this family (25)

Family Cites Families (19)

• 2001
  • 2001-03-30 FR FR0104340A patent/FR2823046B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2002
  • 2002-03-29 EP EP02724391A patent/EP1374539A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2002-03-29 US US10/472,448 patent/US20040077387A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2002-03-29 CN CN02800856.1A patent/CN1460353A/zh active Pending
  • 2002-03-29 WO PCT/FR2002/001111 patent/WO2002080503A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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