FR2845550A1 - RADIOTELEPHONE COMPRISING A SEPARATE BASE HANDSET WHICH INCLUDES MEANS FOR DISPLAYING AT LEAST ONE INFORMATION - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a portable radiotelephone (10) comprising a base (12), first means (28, 30) for establishing a wireless communication between the base (12) and a telephone network, a separate handset (14) of the base (12) and of the second wireless communication means (46a, 46b, 48) between the base (12) and the handset (14), of the type in which the base comprises first transmission means (16) a first sound relating to the communication intended for the user and the first reception means (18) of a second sound relating to the communication originating from the user, and of the type in which the handset (14) comprises second means for transmitting (38) the first sound and second means for receiving (40) the second relative sound, characterized in that the handset (14) comprises display means (50) of at least one item of information relating to communication.

Description

i "Radiotelephone comprising a handset separate from the base which includes

  means for displaying at least one item of information "The invention proposes a portable radio telephone composed of a base and a handset separate from the base. The invention more particularly proposes a portable radio telephone comprising a base, first means enabling establish wireless communication between the base and a telephone network, a handset separate from the base and second means of wireless communication between the base and the handset, of the type in which the base comprises first transmission means of a first sound relating to the communication intended for the user and of the first means of reception of a second sound relating to the communication originating from the user, and of the type in which the handset comprises second means of emission of the first sound and the second

  means for receiving the second relative sound.

  Technological developments in the field of portable radiotelephones, in particular GSM telephones, 20 make it possible to obtain devices grouping together a large number

of functions.

  However, certain functions such as for example the large screen which is used in particular for viewing digital photographs, transform the telephone into a bulky machine which it is difficult to carry with you within range

  hand, such as in a pocket or belt.

  Furthermore, during a telephone conversation, one hand of the user is necessarily monopolized by the handset. To free both hands of the user, it has been proposed to use an accessory called "hands-free kit", which consists of a handset formed by an earpiece and a microphone that the user can hang on his ear like the earpiece of a portable music player. This handset is connected to the radiotelephone by

  through a cable to transmit sounds.

  Although such a device makes it possible to free both hands, the handset connection cable is cumbersome because it can catch on any protruding object. In addition, the length of the connecting cable is limited, which requires user to

  keep the radiotelephone nearby.

  To get rid of this connecting cable, document US-A-5,590,417 and document US-A-4,882,745 propose 10 radiotelephones made up of two parts, a handset and a base, and for which the handset is connected to the base, by

  wireless radio means.

  The base comprises the various components that a conventional radiotelephone can comprise, such as for example a microphone, a loudspeaker, a screen and a numerical keyboard.

  The handset has the minimum functions for the radiotelephone user, i.e. a microphone and a loudspeaker for conversation with another person and a

  transceiver for the transmission of sounds with the base.

  The handset also has keys that allow you to control the radiotelephone without having to grasp the base, which can thus remain in the bottom of a bag, or else at all

  place where it is not bulky.

  Although such an apparatus makes it possible to free both hands of the user and to remove the constraints of the connecting cable, when the user wishes to send a communication, it is difficult for him to dial the appropriate telephone number without

help from the base.

  Indeed, some radiotelephones include a so-called voice recognition function which allows the user, by saying either the number called, or a keyword corresponding to the number called, to dial the number without having to use

  base keypad keys.

  However, the user cannot verify the relevance of the number that will actually be dialed because he cannot view

  the number that is actually dialed.

  To this end, the invention provides a radiotelephone which allows the user to check the telephone number dialed before sending it without having to bring the base. To this end, the invention provides a radiotelephone of the type described above, characterized in that the handset includes means for displaying at least one item of information relating to the communication. According to other characteristics of the invention - the base comprises processing means which are capable of determining the information, which comprise means for transforming the information into a control signal of the display means, and which are able to transmit the control signal to the display means via the second communication means; the processing means are capable of transmitting a first audio signal to the second transmission means via the second communication means, and in that the processing means are capable of receiving a second audio signal coming from the second means of reception via the second means of communication; - The radiotelephone includes means for connecting the handset with the base; - The base includes means for recharging a battery of the handset via a battery of the base when the handset is secured to the base; - The radiotelephone includes means for electronically connecting the processing means to the second means for emitting the first sound, to the second means for receiving the second sound and to the display means when the handset is secured to the base; - The handset includes means for disconnecting the second means of communication when the handset is secured to the base; the handset comprises means for controlling at least one function of the radiotelephone; the control means are connected to the processing means by means of the second communication means, and in that the processing means are capable of selectively disconnecting the second transmission means and the second reception means or the first means

  transmission and the first means of reception.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention

  will appear on reading the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended figures 15 among which:

  - Figure 1 is a schematic perspective representation of a radiotelephone according to the invention in which the handset is connected to the base; FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective representation of the radiotelephone shown in FIG. 1 in which the handset is separated from the base; - Figure 3 is a diagram showing the various components of the handset and the base of the radiotelephone

shown in Figure 1.

  In the description which follows, identical elements,

  similar or analogous will be designated by the same numbers

reference.

  FIGS. 2 and 3 show a portable radiotelephone 10 made up of two parts, a base 12 and a handset 30 14, which are able to communicate with each other by means of

wireless communication.

  The base 12 includes all the elements of a conventional portable radiotelephone of the GSM type, allowing the user to communicate with an interlocutor by

  via a wireless telephone network.

  For this, the base 12 comprises several elements serving as an interface for the user which generally consist, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 3, of a loudspeaker 16 and a microphone 18 which allow the user to converse with his interlocutor, a numeric keypad 20 which allows the user to dial a call number, one or more keys 22 which allow the user to control the communication, for example to take a call call or else end it and which make it possible to control the various functions of the radiotelephone 10, and a display screen 24 of the liquid crystal type which allows in particular the display of the number called or

the identity of the contact.

  The base 12 also includes a battery 26 for supplying the base 12 with the necessary electrical energy, a transceiver 28 and an antenna 30 which make it possible to connect the base 12 to the network.

cordless telephone.

  The radiotelephone 10 also comprises a microchip with a chip 34 in which various information enabling the user to connect to the telephone network, and a memory handset 36 in which the

  phone numbers of different people.

  Finally, the base 12 comprises an electronic device 32 which in particular comprises a microprocessor and which performs the processing of various information originating from and at

  destination of base components 12.

  Thus, during a telephone communication between the user and his interlocutor, a signal originating from the interlocutor is relayed by the wireless telephone network, is received by the antenna 30, and is transformed into an electronic signal.

by the transceiver 28.

  The electronic device 32 receives this electronic signal and analyzes it to extract various information such as for example a telephone number identifying the interlocutor, and to extract from the electronic signal a first audio signal.

  corresponding to what the interlocutor says.

  The electronic device 32 includes means 5 allowing the control of the display screen 24 to display the

  telephone number of the contact.

  The electronic device 32 is also connected to the speaker 16 which transforms the first extracted audio signal into a sound

audible by the user.

  During the communication, the sound of the user's voice is transformed via the microphone 18 into a second audio signal which is transmitted to the electronic device 32. The electronic device 32 transforms the second audio signal to introduce it into a electronic signal which is sent over the telephone network to the interlocutor by

  through the transceiver 28.

  Numeric keypad 20 and keys 22 also send

  information to the electronic device 32 which processes this information for controlling the appropriate functions of the radiotelephone 10.

  So when the user uses the keyboard 20 or put

  end of a call, or else to control another function of the telephone 10, the electrical signal produced by each of these elements is sent to the electronic device 38 which performs the appropriate action.

  The handset 14 is designed to be a light and light element

  cumbersome. To this end, it has only a few components.

  Thus, the handset 14 includes a speaker 38, a microphone

  , a battery 42 and at least one key 44.

  The handset 14 and the base 12 also each comprise a transceiver 46a, 46b which are linked together and which make it possible to establish wireless communication between the base 12

  and the handset 14 via antennas 48.

  In order not to disturb the link between the radiotelephone 10 and the telephone network, which could harm the quality of the communication, the transceiver 28 which makes it possible to establish a link between the base 12 and the telephone network on the one hand , and 5 the transceivers 46a, 46b which make it possible to establish a connection between the handset 14 and the base 12 on the other hand use

  different transmission standards.

  By way of nonlimiting example, the transceiver 28 which makes it possible to establish the link between the base 12 and the telephone network uses the GSM standardization (Global System for Mobile communication), and the transceivers 46a, 46b which establish the connection between the handset 14 and the base 12

  use BluetoothT standardization.

  So that the handset 14 retains its characteristics of lightness and compactness, it does not include the electronic device having the function of processing information originating from or intended for its components, but this information is all processed by the electronic device 32 of the base 12. This is why the components of the handset, that is to say the loudspeaker 38, the microphone 40 and the key 44 are all connected to the electronic device 32 only via the transceivers 46a, 46b and

antennas 48.

  Thus, during a telephone communication during which the user uses the handset 14 in place of the base 12,

  the first audio signal corresponding to what the interlocutor says from the electronic device 32 is transmitted to the speaker 38 of the handset 14 via the transceivers 46a, 46b and the antennas 48.

  The second audio signal produced by the microphone 40 of the handset 14, which is generally identical to that produced by the microphone 18 of the base 12, is transmitted to the electronic device 32 via the transceivers 46a,

46b and antennas 48.

  Finally, when the user presses the key 44 on the handset 14, either to end the call or, according to the embodiment of radiotelephone 10, to increase or decrease the volume of the speaker 38, the signal 5 electronic produced by the key 44 is transmitted electronic device 32, via the transceivers 46a,

  46b and antennas 48, which will perform the desired action.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the device

  electronics 32 is able to selectively take into account the loudspeaker and the microphone of the base 12 or the handset 14.

  This selection is made according to whether the user answers or dials a call by pressing the key 22 on the base 12 or the key 44 on the handset and it makes it possible to avoid any noise

  from the other element, which could hinder the conversation.

  A radiotelephoneO which includes a handset 14 separate from the base 12 allows the user to place the base 12 in a place which does not interfere with it, such as in a handbag, and to place the handset 14 in a place easily

  accessible as for example in a pocket.

  However, when the user wishes to send a telephone call, he must enter base 12 to dial the call or else he must use a voice recognition function of the

  radiotelephone 10 when the latter has one.

  When the user uses the voice recognition function, he must speak the number of the interlocutor or else his name, and the electronic device 32, which is designed to perform this function, processes the audio signal produced to compose the

call number.

  Despite the performance of the components, the electronic device 32 may not recognize exactly the words spoken by the user, and dials a number different from that desired by the user, which can sometimes be the case.

regrettable.

  This is why, and in accordance with the invention, the handset 14 includes a second display screen 50 which allows the display of the number or identity of the recipient of the call before the call number is dialed. , which prevents any call from the wrong person. The second display screen 50 also makes it possible to display the number or the identity of the person calling the user. It is thus possible for the user to "filter" the calls and not to

  respond only to certain people.

  According to other alternative embodiments of the invention, the second display screen 50 makes it possible to display other information such as for example the state of the telephone network at the location where the base is located, an icon informing that 'a message

  written has been received, or even viewing this written message.

  So that the handset has the lowest number of

  components, the information to be displayed by the second display screen 50 is determined by the electronic device 32.

  Then, this information is transformed into a control signal of the second display screen 50 by the electronic device 32 which is transmitted to the second display screen 50 via the transceivers 46a, 46b and

  antennas 48, which will perform the desired action.

  This prevents the handset 14 from having a component for processing the information to be displayed, this element 25 necessarily occupies a volume, it weighs a certain weight and it requires a certain amount of electricity which reduces the

  advantages of space and weight of the handset 14.

  According to another embodiment of the invention, the

  radiotelephone 10 includes means for linking the handset 14 30 with the base 12.

  The connection of the handset 14 with the base 12 makes it possible to join these two elements, for example to avoid losing the handset 14, and it makes it possible to connect elements of the handset 14 with the elements of the base 12, in particular with the device

electronic 32.

  To this end, the base 12 and the handset 14 comprise complementary securing means which are represented in FIG. 3 by a male connector 52 of the handset 14 and a plug

female 54 from base 12.

  The connection means 52, 54 also make it possible to recharge the battery 42 of the handset 14 by connecting it with the

  battery 26 of the base 12 via a charger 55.

  io To avoid disconnection of the batteries 42, 26 when

  manipulation of the radiotelephone 10, the connection means 52, 54 also include means for securing the handset 14 to the base 12 which consist, as shown in Figure 2 in a housing 56 of the base 12 which is complementary 15 to handset 14.

  Holding the handset 14 in the housing 56

  is produced by elastic interlocking, or, according to another embodiment, by cooperation of complementary shapes.

  When the handset 14 is secured to the base 12, the radiotelephone 10 then forms a conventional radiotelephone.

  However, the radiotelephone 10 comprises two pairs of speakers 16, 38 and microphones 18.40, which have the same functions.

  This is why, when the handset 14 is secured to the base 12, the electronic device 32 is capable of considering only a single speaker 16, 38 and a single microphone 18, 40, for example those of the handset 14, and to disconnect those from the base

12, or vice versa.

  Finally, since all the elements of the handset 14 are connected with the electronic device 32, the signals are not transmitted via the transceivers of 46a, 46b and the antennas 48 which are thus disconnected or switched on.

  standby by the electronic device 32.

  Furthermore, since a physical link is established between the base 12 and the handset 14, the radiotelephone 10 also comprises

  means for electronically connecting the speaker 38, the microphone 40 and the second display screen 50 of the handset 14 to the electronic device 32, that is to say that the signals are not transmitted via the transmitters receivers 46a, 46b and s of the antennas 48.

  When the base 12 is placed in a bag, its microphones 16 and its speaker 18 are unused, because their functions are

  made by the speaker 38 and the microphone 40 of the handset 14.

  In addition, when the handset 14 is secured to the base 10 12, the speaker 16 and the microphone 18 of the base 12 are disconnected, in this configuration also their functions are

  made by the speaker 38 and the microphone 40 of the handset 14.

  Thus, the speaker 16 and the microphone 18 of the base 12 are rarely or never used. This is why, according to another embodiment of the radiotelephone 10 according to the invention, the base 12 does not include a loudspeaker 16 or

microphone 18.

  Thus, when the handset 14 is detached from the base 12, the user only handles the handset 14, the base 12 then having the functions of processing the information and transmitting it, and, when the handset 14 is secured to the base 12, the radiotelephone 10 has the structure of a conventional radiotelephone. The handset 14 is a small element. Thus, the user can transport it by arranging it at any

place of his body.

  For this, and according to a well known embodiment, the handset has a loop (not shown) which allows

  hooking the handset 14 to an ear of the user.

  However, other modes of transport of the module can be provided. Thus, for example, the user can wear the handset on his wrist, in which case who also wears a bracelet comprising means for securing the handset similar to the housing 56, also, the user can wear the handset 14 la

way of a pendant.

  Finally, according to another alternative embodiment of the invention, the handset comprises a digital photo-taking module 5 which is also connected to the electronic device 32 via the transceivers. Thus, when the user takes a picture, the data corresponding to the picture is transmitted to the electronic device 32 which, according to its programming, makes it possible either to view the picture by means of the display screen of the base, either to store the photograph in digital form in the memory of the

base 12.

  The handset 14 is an element of relatively small dimensions. Thus, his microphone 40 is arranged near the speaker 38. As a result, when the user uses the handset during a call, the microphone 40 is located far from the mouth of the user, which can be harmful. to the transmission of the lyrics

issued by the user.

  This is why, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2, the microphone 38 is arranged at the end of a telescopic arm 58 and, according to another variant

  not shown, at the end of an articulated arm.

  Furthermore, according to another alternative embodiment of the invention, the battery 42 of the handset 14 is charged via a battery charger separate from the base 12 which is connected to a network electricity supply. The handset is an element that the user often keeps close to his head. Due to their high power, 30 waves conforming to GSM standardization are suspected of being carcinogenic for people who use frequently

their radiotelephone.

  The link between the base 12 and the handset 14 is of short range (about ten meters), it therefore requires low power waves which are thus less dangerous on

the people.

  Radiotelephone 10 has been described as being a portable radiotelephone using a GSM type network. 5 However, it will be understood that such a radiotelephone 10 can also be used for a so-called "cordless" domestic telephone for which the base 12 is connected to the telephone network by a cable, and the handset 14 is connected to the base by the means of communication

wireless 46a, 46b.

  The handset 14 of such a radiotelephone makes it possible to dispense with any manipulation of the base, and it makes it possible to dial a telephone number safely, without any

may dial a wrong number.

Claims (9)

  1. portable radiotelephone (10) comprising a base (12), first means (28, 30) enabling wireless communication to be established between the base (12) and a telephone network, a handset (14) separate from the base (12) and second wireless communication means (46a, 46b, 48) between the base (12) and the handset (14), of the type in which the base comprises first transmission means (16) of a first sound relating to the communication intended for the user and the first 10 reception means (18) of a second sound relating to the communication originating from the user, and of the type in which the handset (14) comprises second means for emitting (38) the first sound and second means (40) for receiving the second relative sound, characterized in that the handset (14) comprises means (50) for displaying at least one relative information to communication. 2. Radiotelephone (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the base (12) comprises processing means (32) which are capable of determining the information, which   comprise means for transforming the information into a control signal from the display means (50), and which are capable of transmitting the control signal to the display means (50) via the second communication means (46a, 46b, 48).   3. Radiotelephone (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the processing means (32) are capable of transmitting the first audio signal to the second transmission means (38) via the second communication means (46a, 46b, 48), and in that the processing means (32) are able to receive the second audio signal coming from the second reception means (40) via the second communication means (46a, 46b, 48).   4. Radiotelephone (10) according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that it comprises means (52, 54, 56) for securing the handset (14) with the base   (12). 5. Radiotelephone (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the base (12) comprises means (55) for recharging a battery (42) of the handset (14) via a battery (26) of the base (12) when the   combined (14) is secured to the base (12).   6. Radiotelephone (10) according to one of claims 4 or   , in combination with claim 2, characterized in that it comprises means (52, 54) for electronically connecting the processing means (32) to the second transmission means (38) of the first sound, to the second reception means (40) of the second sound and to the display means (50) when the handset   (14) is secured to the base (12).   7. Radiotelephone (10) according to one of claims 4 to   6, characterized in that the handset (14) comprises means for disconnecting the second communication means 20 when the handset (14) is secured to the base (12).   8. Radiotelephone (10) according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that the handset (14) comprises control means (44) of at least one function of the radiotelephone (10).   9. Radiotelephone (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the control means (44) are connected to the processing means (32) via the second communication means (46a, 46b, 48), and in that the processing means (32) are able to selectively disconnect the first transmission means (16) and the first reception means (18) or second the means   transmission (38) and the second reception means (40).