MXPA00007040A - Cellular phone with expansion memory for audio and video storage - Google Patents

Abstract

A cellular telephone includes an internally integrated digital entertainment module. The telephone includes a transceiver unit and a headset which is connected to the transceiver unit by wired or wireless link. The entertainment module includes an interchangeable ROM and/or expansion RAM for storing music or other audio signals for playback through the telephone's headset. Music or other audio signals in digitized form is stored in the interchangeable ROM or is loaded into the expansion RAM from a CD player, computer, or other source of digitized audio signals. Under control of the cellular telephone's microprocessor, the digitally stored audio signal is played back through the telephone's headset. The entertainment module may be located in the transceiver unit, a removable battery pack, or in a separate adapter.

Description

CELLULAR TELEPHONE WITH EXPANSION MEMORY FOR AUDIO AND VIDEO STORAGE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to mobile communication devices and more particularly to portable radio communications devices, which have an integral entertainment module including RAM or ROM for storing audio, video and / or still images. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the past two decades, advances in digital electronic technology have led to rapid growth in the area of consumer-oriented consumer electronic devices. In particular, portable electronic devices such as audio CD players, FM / AM radio receivers and even disc / video tape players, have become increasingly popular with consumers as they have become small, Lightweight and easy to transport by an individual. While they are quite popular with consumers, mass storage equipment devices (audio CDs, video tape / discs) typically suffer from motion-induced distortion in another way known as bounce or jump. These problems arise in part as a result of the required movement of the mass storage medium during normal operation. That is, in the case of an audio CD or a video disc, the disk comprising the storage medium is typically rotated or centrifuged at a relatively high speed while the information stored on the disk is read by a read head associated A proper and precise alignment of the read head with respect to the centrifuged storage medium must be maintained at all times in order to ensure error-free reading of the stored data. This precise alignment is often difficult to maintain when the audio or video player is used in a way that leads to extreme vibration or mechanical shock. In practice, mechanically hard activities such as running or jogging are common among users of portable electronic components, particularly with respect to the use of portable audio CD players. In these cases, jump or bounce artifacts induced in the CD player can seriously impair the overall performance of the player. Additionally with respect to the recreational athletic activities of consumers of portable electronic components, it is often the case that these consumers not only transport an audio CD player for entertainment purposes, but also a cell phone for security purposes. Although this equipment provides the desired entertainment / safety services to the athletically active consumer, the need to transport multiple pieces of equipment is generally seen as inhibiting or impairing its athletic purposes. Therefore, there is and still is a need for a practical and efficient technique in incorporating the functionality of audio and / or video playback devices into wireless communication devices such as cell phones. COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a cell phone particularly adapted for entertainment activities. The cellular phone of the present invention includes a portable transceiver unit and a telephone headset that can be used by the user during entertainment activities such as jogging, cycling, gardening, etc. The transceiver unit includes a fully functional transceiver, capable of sending and receiving data and voice signals over an RF carrier. The transceiver unit has an integral digital entertainment module, including a memory for storing music or other audio signals to be played through the telephone headset. For purposes of this application, memory means all forms of computer memory but does not include disk storage., tape storage or other electromechanical reading systems that require memory. The memory may be in the form of a removable ROM cartridge and / or expansion RAM. In these embodiments, which have an expansion RAM, a power gate is provided to load music or other audio signals into the expansion RAM from a CD player, computer or other digitized audio source. Under the microprocessor control of the transceiver unit, the digitally stored audio signal is reproduced through the telephone headset, which in the preferred embodiment comprises stereo headphones. The telephone headset can be connected to the telephone by a wired or wireless link. Due to its integration in the cell phone, the digital entertainment module can share components already present in the cell phone. These savings would not be available if a CD player were simply added to the phone. In addition, the use of RAM or solid-state ROM as opposed to disk storage eliminates the need for rebound control circuits. This allows the described invention to provide cellular communications and entertainment during leisure activities. In another aspect of the present invention, the digital entertainment module can be located in a removable battery pack that is connected to the transceiver unit, or in a separate adapter that plugs into the transceiver unit. Locating the digital entertainment module, either in a battery pack or in a separate adapter, allows the manufacturer to offer the digital entertainment module as an optional accessory that does not require it to be purchased at the same time the cell phone is purchased. This allows consumers who buy a phone without the digital entertainment module to later purchase the battery pack or adapter as an upgrade to the existing phone. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of the portable communication device of the present invention. Figure 2 is a block diagram of the portable communication device. Figure 3 is a block diagram of the entertainment module contained in the portable communication device.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the portable communication device, wherein the digital entertainment module is located in a removable battery pack. Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the second embodiment of the portable communications device, wherein the entertainment module is located in a removable battery pack. Figure 6 is a perspective view of a third mode of portable communication device, wherein the digital entertainment module is located in a separate adapter that is connected to the transceiver unit. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the third embodiment of the portable communication device wherein the entertainment module is located on a separate adapter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Now with reference to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1 to 3, the cellular telephone of the present invention is illustrated and indicated generally by the number 10. The cellular telephone 10 of the present invention is particularly adapted for Use during leisure time activities such as jogging, hiking, gardening, etc.

The cellular phone 10 includes a transceiver unit 12 and a telephone headset 40, which can be worn on the head by the user. The transceiver unit 12 includes a main housing 14 and a removable battery pack 16, which contains a rechargeable battery 28. The housing 14 of the transceiver unit 12 contains an RF transceiver 18, control logic 20, program memory 22, and audio processing unit 24 which are operatively connected by a system duct 26. The RF transceiver 18 may for example be a class 1 mobile telephone transceiver, capable of transmitting and receiving radio signals containing voice and / or data. The audio processing unit 24 processes voice and data signals that are transmitted and received by the transceiver 18. The audio processing unit 24 may include circuits for speech recognition, to allow activation and use of the telephone 10 by voice commands for true hands-free operation. The control logic 20 controls the transceiver operation 18 according to instructions stored in the program memory 22. A keypad 30 and display 32 provide a user interface. The keypad 30 allows the user to provide dialing instructions and commands to initiate a call and select options. The display 32 shows the dialed number and the status information of the call to the user. The display 32 can also display instructions or options to the user. Unlike conventional cellular telephones, the transceiver unit 12 of the present invention does not include an internal microphone and speaker, although this is within the scope of the contemplated invention. The telephone headset 40 includes stereo speakers 42 and microphone 44 which are connected to the transceiver unit 12 by a cable 46. The cable 46 may include a plug (not shown) that removably couples with a corresponding female plug in the unit transceiver 12. The cable 46 is connected to the system duct 26 which directs audio signals from the audio processing unit 24 a and the telephone head 40 under the control of the microprocessor 20. The female plug can also be connected directly to the circuit audio processing 24. Alternatively, the telephone headset 40 can communicate wirelessly with the transceiver unit 12, for example by means of an infrared carrier, low power RF carrier or magnetic link. The portable telephone 10 of the present invention includes an interconstructed digital entertainment module 50 (DEM = Digital Entertainment Module) that allows music or other audio signals to be reproduced through the cell phone headset 40. The entertainment module 50 includes Extended RAM and / or removable memory cartridges for storing music or other audio signals that can be reproduced through headset 40 of telephone 10. Now with reference to Figure 3, a schematic diagram of the digital entertainment module 50 is illustrated. The digital entertainment module 50 includes a secondary duct 52, extended random access memory (RAM) 54, removable ROM 56 and a power 58. The extended RAM 54 for example can be a flake or EPROM flash chip capable of storing digitalized audio. The digitized audio is loaded into the flash EPROM by the power 58. The power 58 can be a serial port, a parallel port, infrared data port, modem or any other type of power device capable of interfacing with an audio source digitized, such as a CD player or computer. It is also contemplated that the audio may be obtained from the transceiver unit 12 in an "Internet enabled" telephone 10. The removable or removable ROM 56, preferably is in the form of a cartridge that fits into a slot in the transceiver unit 12. The ROM cartridge 54 may contain pre-recorded music that can be purchased by the user. In the preferred embodiment, the data format of both the extended RAM 54 and the removable ROM 56 will be organized in accordance with the CD-ROM standards, which is 14 bits per sample and 44.1 K samples per second. In operation, the user will insert a removable ROM cartridge 56 into the transceiver unit 12 or load audio into the extended RAM 54 of a CD player, computer or other digitized audio source. The transceiver unit 12 is connected to the user's belt or other article of clothing. The telephone headset 40 is placed on the user's head and connected to the transceiver unit 12. The audio reproduction in the extended RAM 54 or removable ROM 56 can be activated by the keypad 30 or alternatively by voice command. The audio will be played through the telephone headset 40 under the control of the microprocessor 20, while the user participates in free time activities. When an incoming call is received, the microprocessor 20 automatically mutes or stops audio playback from the digital entertainment module 50 until the call is terminated. Preferably, the transceiver unit 12 includes a list of preferred calling subscribers stored in a classification memory that can be part of a program memory 22, separated therefrom but in communication with the control logic 20. This list of subscribers that Preferred calls are used to classify incoming call such as only calls from subscribers calling in the preferred list, cause it to be silenced or stop the audio resolution from the digital entertainment module 50; Calls from subscribers who are not on the preferred subscriber list do not trigger this preference response. Upon termination of the call, the microprocessor 20 will release the mute or restart the audio playback of the digital entertainment module 50. A significant advantage of the present invention is that RAM audio or solid state ROM audio is played thereby eliminating the need by rebound control circuits that are commonly used in portable CD players. In addition, due to its integration in the cell phone 10, there is no need for the user to transport both a portable audio player and a cell phone. Furthermore, the integration of the entertainment module 50 into the cellular telephone 10 allows the entertainment module 10 to share components with the cellular telephone 10 to take advantage of the telephone communication capacity to load the RAM 54. In this way, the present invention It can replace both a conventional cell phone and portable audio player at a lower cost than a portable audio player known as conventional walk-man and telephone.

Now with reference to Figures 4 and 5, a second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The second modality is similar to the first modality and therefore the same reference numbers will be used to identify similar components. As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the second mode of the telephone 10 includes a transceiver unit 12, with a removable battery pack 14, and a telephone headset 40 connected to the transceiver unit 12. The transceiver unit 12 includes a transceiver 18, microprocessor 20, program memory 22, audio processing circuits 24, keypad 30 and display 32 as previously described. Similarly, the telephone headset 40 includes stereo speaker 42 and microphone 44. The second embodiment differs from the first, that the digital entertainment module 50 is contained within the removable battery pack 14. The entertainment module 50 is connected to a secondary duct in the battery pack 14. When the battery pack 14 is connected to the transceiver unit 12, a connection is made between the secondary duct in the battery pack 14 and the main duct 26 of the transceiver unit 12. The duct The main 26 and the secondary duct allow the routing of audio signals between the entertainment module 50 and the audio processing circuits 24 under the control of the microprocessor 20. Figures 6 and 7 show a third embodiment of the present invention. The third modality is similar to the first and second modalities and therefore the same reference numbers will be used to identify similar components. As illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the third embodiment includes a transceiver unit 12, telephone headset 40 and adapter 70. Transceiver unit 12 includes a transceiver 18, microprocessor 20, program memory 22, audio processing circuits 24 , keypad 30 and display 32. In addition, the transceiver unit 12 in the third embodiment includes an internal microphone and speaker 34 and 36, respectively. In this way, the transceiver unit 12 can be used without the telephone headset 40. The telephone headset 40 includes a pair of stereo speakers 42 and microphone 44. The headset 40 is connected by a cable 46 to the adapter 70. The module entertainment 50 is contained in the adapter 70. The adapter 70 includes a secondary duct 72 which is connected to the main duct 26 in the transceiver unit when the adapter 70 is connected to the transceiver unit 12. An input / output circuit 74 directs signals of audio to and from the 40 telephone headset.

When the transceiver unit 12 is used without the adapter 70, audio signals are directed under the control of the microprocessor from the audio processing circuits 24 to the microphone and internal speakers 34 and 36. When the adapter 70 is connected to the transceiver unit 12 , the audio signals are directed to the microphone 44 and the horns 432 in the headset 40. The configuration of the telephone 10 shown in Figures 6 and 7 is advantageous since it allows the transceiver unit 12 to be sold without the digital entertainment module 50. and later it is updated by the consumer. The adapter 70 the telephone headset 40 can be sold separately as an accessory or at a later time as an update. In this way, a simple telephone can be manufactured to be used both with and without the digital entertainment module 50. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the digital entertainment module 50 can also be used to store video or still images that can be sending output to the display 32 of the transceiver unit 12. Any sound that accompanies the video will be reproduced through the telephone headset 40 or internal speaker. It will also be apparent that the digital entertainment module 50 may include a broadcast receiver, to receive conventional radio and TV signals in addition to its entertainment memory. The present invention can of course be carried out in other ways specific to those set forth herein, without departing from the spirit and essential features of the invention. The present modalities will therefore have to be considered in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive and all changes that fall within the meaning and range of equivalences of the appended claims are intended to be encompassed.

Claims (18)

1. A mobile radio communications device, characterized in that it comprises: a) a transceiver unit for transmitting and receiving audio signals; b) a horn operatively connected to the transceiver unit for converting audio signals received by the transceiver unit into audible signals that can be heard by a user; c) a microphone operatively connected to the transceiver unit for converting the user's voice into audio signals for transmission by the transceiver; d) memory operatively connected to the transceiver unit for storing previously recorded audio, for subsequent reproduction through the speaker.

2. The mobile radio communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that the memory is an erasable memory.

3. The mobile radio communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that the memory is a non-erasable memory.

4. The mobile radio communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that the memory is contained in the transceiver unit. The mobile radio communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that it also includes a removable cartridge that is inserted into the transceiver unit, where the memory is contained in the removable cartridge. 6. The mobile radio communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a removable battery pack connected to the transceiver unit, the memory is located in the battery pack. The mobile radio communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that it also includes a detachable adapter for connecting the transceiver unit, the memory is located on the adapter. 8. The mobile radio communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that it also includes a telephone headset, wherein the speaker and the microphone are mounted on the headset. The mobile radio communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that it also includes a power gate connected operatively with the memory to load audio into the memory. The mobile radio communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that it also includes a classification memory in communication with the transceiver to store a list of preferred calling subscribers and when an incoming call is received during audio reproduction. previously recorded, the playback continues unless the incoming call is from a subscriber who is on the list of preferred subscribers. 11. A cellular telephone having an entertainment module for producing previously recorded audio and video signals, characterized in that it comprises: a) a transceiver for transmitting and receiving audio and data signals; b) a microprocessor to control the operation of the transceiver; c) a signal processing circuit operatively connected to the transceiver and microprocessor to process signals transmitted and received by the transceiver; and d) an entertainment module with a memory operatively connected to the microprocessor and signal processing circuits for storing audio and video signals for subsequent reproduction under the control of the microprocessor; and e) a classification memory in communication with the transceiver for storing a list of subscribers who call preferred and when an incoming call is received during the reproduction of the previously recorded audio, the reproduction ceases if the incoming call is from a subscriber who is in the list, such that a user can receive the call of free entry of the audible reproduction and where the reproduction continues if the incoming call is from a calling subscriber who is not in the list of preferred subscribers. 12. The cell phone according to claim 11, characterized in that the memory comprises an erasable and programmable memory for storing and reproducing audio and video signals. 13. The cellular phone according to claim 12, characterized by including a power coupled to the erasable and programmable memory, for downloading and storing audio and video signals in the erasable and programmable memory. The cellular phone according to claim 11, characterized in that the memory comprises a permanent memory that is removable from the cell phone for storing and reproducing audio and video signals. The cellular phone according to claim 11, characterized in that the entertainment module includes a first memory that is programmable and erasable, a power coupled to the first memory for downloading and storing audio and video signals in the first memory and a permanent memory that has previously recorded audio and video signals stored there. 16. The cellular telephone according to claim 15, characterized in that the second memory is a removable and interchangeable memory cartridge. The cellular phone according to claim 15, characterized in that the first and second memories are coupled to a headband port on the cell phone, thus allowing audio signals to be directed from the memories to a headband attached to the telephone. cellular by the port of diadema. 18. The cellular phone according to claim 15, characterized in that the microprocessor is pre-programmed to give priority to output from the first and second memories, in response to an incoming call or the start of an outgoing call.