Title: System and method for providing an adapter module
Abstract: Embodiments include a system and method for adapting a wireless device, such as a Bluetooth-enabled mobile handset or other Bluetooth-enabled device to a car radio and associated speaker system to effect a hands-free car kit or similar system. The adapter module is physically and electrically coupled to the car radio by making electrical contact with a connector on the car radio with a matching connector on one side of the adapter module. The mated connectors provide communications from the adapter module to the car radio. The adapter module includes circuitry for communicating with the Bluetooth-enabled mobile handset and the car radio in order to exchange communications signals between the Bluetooth-enabled mobile handset, and a microphone and the car radio.
Patent Number: 6,892,051 Issued on 05/10/2005 to Schmitt, et al.
| Inventors:
|
Schmitt; Edward D. (Gresham, OR);
Mohamed; Ibrahim (Bothell, WA);
Nelson; Thomas Edwin East (Sammamish, WA)
|
| Assignee:
|
Cingular Wireless II, LLC (Redmond, WA)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
036109 |
| Filed:
|
December 31, 2001 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
455/41.2; 343/702; 379/420.01; 379/430; 455/90.3; 455/345; 455/557; 455/563; 455/566; 455/569.1; 455/569.2; 455/570; 455/575.1; 455/575.6; 455/575.9 |
| Intern'l Class: |
H04B 007/00 |
| Field of Search: |
455/412,903,575.9,569.1,569.2,570,575.6,575.1,563,557,566,345
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
| 5535274 | Jul., 1996 | Braitberg et al.
| |
| 5546458 | Aug., 1996 | Iwami.
| |
| 5590414 | Dec., 1996 | Marui et al.
| |
| 5653336 | Aug., 1997 | Buonaiuto et al.
| |
| 5857013 | Jan., 1999 | Yue et al.
| |
| 6058319 | May., 2000 | Sadler.
| |
| 6075999 | Jun., 2000 | Vilmi et al.
| |
| 6078825 | Jun., 2000 | Hahn et al.
| |
| 6101403 | Aug., 2000 | Masuda.
| |
| 6131042 | Oct., 2000 | Lee et al.
| |
| 6138041 | Oct., 2000 | Yahia.
| |
| 6154663 | Nov., 2000 | Itamochi.
| |
| 6163690 | Dec., 2000 | Lilja.
| |
| 6163711 | Dec., 2000 | Juntunen et al.
| |
| 6173056 | Jan., 2001 | Romesburg et al.
| |
| 6184651 | Feb., 2001 | Fernandez et al.
| |
| 6195572 | Feb., 2001 | Patterson et al.
| |
| 6217351 | Apr., 2001 | Fung et al.
| |
| 6230029 | May., 2001 | Hahn et al.
| |
| 6255800 | Jul., 2001 | Bork.
| |
| 6266544 | Jul., 2001 | Tomura et al.
| |
| 6304764 | Oct., 2001 | Pan.
| |
| 6341218 | Jan., 2002 | Poplawsky et al.
| |
| 6349223 | Feb., 2002 | Chen.
| |
| 6377825 | Apr., 2002 | Kennedy et al.
| |
| 6397086 | May., 2002 | Chen.
| |
| 6636749 | Oct., 2003 | Holmes et al.
| |
| 2001/0049262 | Dec., 2001 | Lehtonen.
| |
| 2002/0032042 | Mar., 2002 | Poplawski et al.
| |
| Foreign Patent Documents |
| 0 920 170 | Jun., 1999 | EP.
| |
| 1 107 546 | Jun., 2001 | EP.
| |
| WO9945687 | Sep., 1999 | WO.
| |
| WO9945691 | Sep., 1999 | WO.
| |
Other References
Krebs, Michelle, "Digital Link for Car Talk,", From Escapes/Bells and Whistles,
Sep. 6, 2002, p. 1, The New York Times Website, Automobiles.
U.S. Appl. No. 09/972,572, filed Oct. 3, 2001, Holmes et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/036,151, filed Dec. 31, 2001, Holmes et al.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/036,188, filed Dec. 31, 2001, Holmes et al.
PCT/US02/20165; Written Opinion mailed Aug. 21, 2003.
|
Primary Examiner: Milord; Marceau
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Perkins Coie LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/300,842, filed Jun. 25, 2001.
Claims
1. A system for use with a Bluetooth-enabled wireless handset and a car radio,
the car radio having an auxiliary connector, comprising:
an adapter module, the adapter module further comprising:
Bluetooth logic substantially compatible with at least one Bluetooth standard
to wirelessly exchange communication signals with the Bluetooth-enabled wireless
handset,
car radio communications logic substantially compatible with the car radio to
transmit communication signals to the car radio, the Bluetooth logic being communicatively
coupled to the car radio communications logic to exchange communication signals,
a radio connector configured to couple with the auxiliary connector, the radio
connector being adapted to transfer communication signals from the adapter module,
through the auxiliary connector, to the car radio, and
wherein the Bluetooth logic, car radio communications logic and radio connector
are configured to permit hands-free communications with the Bluetooth-enabled wireless
handset.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the adapter module further comprises:
a user control interface, the user control interface controlling at least one
LED to indicate a state of the adapter module, and
control logic, the control logic having memory and being communicatively coupled
to the Bluetooth logic, the car radio communications logic and the user control
interface,
wherein the control, logic provides control signals to the Bluetooth logic and
the car radio communications logic to control the exchange of communication signals
between the Bluetooth-enabled wireless handset and the car radio.
3. An enhanced vehicle, comprising:
a vehicle, the vehicle capable of moving occupants,
a vehicle radio, the vehicle radio coupled to the vehicle, an adapter module,
the adapter module coupled to the vehicle radio the adapter module further comprising:
Bluetooth logic substantially compatible with at least one Bluetooth standard
capable of exchanging communication signals with a Bluetooth-enabled wireless handset,
vehicle radio communications logic substantially compatible with the audio deck
to transmit communication signals to the vehicle radio,
wherein the Bluetooth logic is communicatively coupled to the vehicle radio communications
logic to exchange communication signals with the Bluetooth-enabled wireless handset
and transmits communication signals to the vehicle radio.
4. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the adapter module further comprises:
a user control interface, the user control interface controlling at least one
LED to indicate a state of the adapter module,
control logic, the control logic having memory and being communicatively coupled
to the Bluetooth logic, the vehicle radio communications logic and the user control
interface,
wherein the control logic provides control signals to the Bluetooth logic and
the vehicle radio communications logic to control the exchange of communication
signals between the Bluetooth-enabled wireless handset and the vehicle radio.
5. An adapter module for use with a car radio and a wireless device wherein the
wireless device has a primary wireless communications capability for communicating
with other wireless devices and secondary wireless communications capability, the
adapter module comprising:
wireless transceiver circuitry, the wireless transceiver circuitry being substantially
compatible with the wireless device's secondary communications capability to exchange
communication signals with the wireless device under the secondary communications
capability; and
car radio communications logic, the car radio communications logic being configured
to be substantially compatible with the car radio to transmit signals to the car
radio, the car radio communications logic being operatively coupled to the wireless
transceiver circuitry to receive communication signals from the wireless transceiver
circuitry.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein the wireless handset's primary wireless communications
capability and secondary wireless communications capability operate according to
incompatible signaling principles.
7. The system of claim 5 wherein the wireless handset's primary wireless communications
capability and secondary wireless communications capability operate according to
compatible signaling principles.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein the compatible signaling principles are specified
according to a standard.
9. The system of claim 5 wherein the wireless device's secondary wireless communications
capability operates substantially according to IEEE 802.11.
10. The system of claim 5 wherein the wireless device's secondary wireless communications
capability operates substantially according to a Bluetooth standard.
11. The system of claim 5 wherein the wireless device's secondary wireless communications
capability operates substantially as a short range wireless network.
12. The system of claim 5 wherein the wireless device's secondary wireless communications
capability operates substantially according to at least one standard associated
with contactless smart cards.
13. The system of claim 5 wherein the wireless device's secondary wireless communications
capability operates substantially according to at least one IrDA standard.
14. The system of claim 5 wherein the wireless device's secondary wireless communications
capability operates substantially according to a Home RF standard.
15. A system for adapting a car radio having an auxiliary connector, for communications
with a Bluetooth-enabled wireless handset, comprising:
an adapter module, the adapter module further comprising:
Bluetooth communication means for wirelessly exchanging communication signals
with the Bluetooth-enabled wireless handset
car radio communications means for transmitting communication signals to the
car radio, the Bluetooth communication means being communicatively coupled to the
car radio communications means for transmitting communication signals from the
Bluetooth communication means to the car radio communications means.
16. The system of claim 15 wherein the adapter module further comprises control
means for providing control signals to the Bluetooth communication means and the
car radio communications means for controlling the transmission of communication
signals from the Bluetooth-enabled wireless handset to the car radio, and wherein
the control means stores information from at least one of the Bluetooth communication
means, the car radio communications means and the control means.
17. A system for adapting a car radio for hands-free communications with a Bluetooth-enabled
wireless handset, comprising:
an adapter module, the adapter module further comprising Bluetooth communication
means for exchanging communication signals with the Bluetooth-enabled wireless
handset, car radio communication means for receiving communication signals from
a microphone means and transmitting communication signals to the car radio, the
Bluetooth communication means being communicatively coupled to the car radio communications
means for exchanging communication signals between the Bluetooth-enabled wireless
handset and the car radio.
18. The system of claim 17 wherein the adapter module further comprises control
means for providing control signals to the Bluetooth communication means and the
car radio communications means for controlling the transmission of communication
signals from the Bluetooth-enabled wireless handset to the car radio, and wherein
the control means stores information from at least one of the Bluetooth communication
means, the car radio communications means and the control means.
19. A method of adapting a car radio for communications with a Bluetooth-enabled
wireless handset, comprising:
receiving communication signals from the Bluetooth-enabled wireless handset;
converting the communication signals from a first form used by used by the Bluetooth-enabled
wireless handset to a second form used by the car radio; and
transmitting the communications signals in the second form to the car radio.
20. A computer-readable medium whose contents are capable of causing control
logic in an adapter module to peiform a method to adapt a hands-free car kit for
communications with a Bluetooth-enabled wireless handset, the method comprising:
receiving communication signals from the Bluetooth-enabled wireless handset with
Bluetooth logic;
passing the communication signals from the Bluetooth logic to the car radio communications
logic;
converting the communication signals from a first form used by the Bluetooth-enabled
wireless handset to a second form used by the car radio; and
transmitting the communications signals in the second form to the car radio.
21. A modified car radio for creating hands-free communication in a vehicle having
a short-range wireless network-enabled adapter module, comprising:
a connector, the connector being attached to the modified car radio and configured
to be substantially compatible with the short-range wireless network-enabled adapter
module,
a car radio, and
a mute multiplexer coupled to the car radio, the mute multiplexer having a plurality
of inputs and an output, one of the plurality of inputs being coupled to communication
signals derived from the short-range wireless network-enabled mobile handset for
selection by the mute multiplexer for transmission from the output.
22. The modified car radio of claim 21, further comprising a power connector
integral with the car radio for providing electrical power from the car radio.
23. The modified car radio of claim 21, further comprising a vehicle, the vehicle
capable of moving occupants, the vehicle coupled to the modified car radio.
24. The modified car radio of claim 21, further comprising a microphone, the
microphone being operatively coupled to the adapter module.
25. The modified car radio of claim 21 wherein the mute multiplexer comprises
at least one switch.
26. The modified car radio of claim 21 wherein the adapter module is adaptable
to provide signals to the car radio to adjust sound levels produced by the car radio.
27. The modified car radio of claim 21 wherein the modified car radio is adapted
to receive data signals from the short-range wireless network-enabled adapter module.
28. The modified car radio of claim 21 wherein the modified car radio is adapted
to transmit data signals to the short-range wireless network-enabled adapter module.
29. The system of claim 21 wherein the communication signals derived from the
short-range wireless network-enabled mobile handset are received substantially
according to IEEE 802.11.
30. The system of claim 21 wherein the communication signals derived from the
shod-range wireless network-enabled mobile handset are received substantially according
to a Bluetooth standard.
31. The system of claim 21 wherein the communication signals derived from the
short-range wireless network-enabled mobile handset are received substantially
according to at least one IrDA standard.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to adapters for
coupling to wireless communicating devices.
BACKGROUND
In order to participate in wireless telecommunications more easily while driving,
many drivers have endured considerable expense in terms of time, money and effort,
to have a hands-free car kit professionally installed in their vehicles. The primary
advantage to the hands-free car kit is that users can carry on a conversation without
having to hold a mobile handset to their ear. This frees up the hand that otherwise
would have been holding the handset to perform other tasks, such as driving the
car. The hands-free car kit may even provide other advantages such as superior
reception and sound quality as compared to the handset alone.
In a typical usage scenario, the user dials a phone number on their mobile handset
to place a call, or receives a call from another user. The user places the handset
into a special cradle which has been customized for physically holding that handset
and for providing electrical connections to a microphone, speakers and possibly
an antenna, as may be associated with the hands-free car kit. In many cases, the
cradle and related electrical connections are adapted to only one handset model
or a small number of closely related handsets. The very limited number of phones
that a hands-free car kit can work with becomes a problem when the user desires
to change to a new or different mobile phone handset. The user may want to change
their handset because it offers better features, is associated with a different
wireless service provider desired by the user or for any other reason.
Newer phones have historically been smaller and differently shaped than existing
phones, again giving rise to incompatibility with previously installed hands-free
car kits. Other concurrently offered mobile handsets tend to have different physical
and electrical characteristics. Previously installed hands-free car kits can be
replaced with newer or different hands-free car kits associated with a replacement
handset. Unfortunately, replacement of the existing hands-free car kit would involve
considerable expense in terms of time, money and effort, not only to install the
replacement hands-free car kit, but to remove the existing hands-free car kit.
It would be desirable to be able to reduce the time, money and/or effort associated
with replacing a previously installed hands-free car kit when the user replaces
the handset matching the existing hands-free car kit with a newer or different
handset that is substantially incompatible the existing hands-free car kit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the adapter module where in one embodiment of
the present invention the adapter module is adapted to communicate with a modified
car radio, and a Bluetooth-enabled mobile handset substantially according to the
Bluetooth specification.
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the adapter module and portions of a modified
car radio and electrically coupled speakers where in one embodiment of the present
invention the adapter module is adapted to communicate with a modified car radio,
and a Bluetooth-enabled mobile handset substantially according to the Bluetooth specification.
FIG. 3 shows a block diagram illustrating flows of voice signals, an adapter
module, portions of a modified car radio and electrically coupled speakers and
two mobile wireless handsets where in one embodiment of the present invention the
adapter module is adapted to communicate with a modified car radio, and a Bluetooth-enabled
mobile handset substantially according to the Bluetooth specification.
In the drawings, the same reference numbers identify identical or substantially
similar elements or acts. To easily identify the discussion of any particular element
or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the
Figure number in which that element is first introduced, e.g., element
102
is first introduced and discussed with respect to FIG.
1.
Note that the headings provided herein are for convenience and do not necessarily
affect the scope or interpretation of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Aspects of the present invention overcome many of the limitations described
in prior and current hands-free car kits and provide additional benefits by creating
a unique adapter for implementing a new hands-free car kit using a Bluetooth-enabled
adapter module to support Bluetooth-enabled mobile handsets in combination with
an existing car radio that supports cell phone voice with a built-in car cell phone
or with a standard car radio when using the addition of a module supported microphone.
The adapter module establishes a communications link with a Bluetooth-enabled mobile
handset or the like, using communications protocols established under the Bluetooth standard.
In one embodiment an adapter module is used to create a hands-free car kit. The
adapter module has a auxiliary radio connector and a power connector which couple
with a corresponding adapter module connector on a existing/modified car radio.
In an alternative embodiment, the radio connector and the power connector are combined.
The adapter module is physically configured so that it can be connected to, and
supported by, the existing/modified car radio. The mated connectors provide power
to the adapter module and unidirectional communications from the adapter module
to the existing/modified car radio to form a hands-free car kit. In one embodiment
the adapter module contains a microphone connector for providing power to and receiving
audio signals from a microphone attached to the microphone connector. From the
perspective of the modified car radio, the adapter module emulates the communication
style of a compatible audio device, e.g., a radio or compact disk player (known
as a "CD player").
The adapter module contains a Bluetooth chip or chipset for communicating with
a Bluetooth-enabled mobile handset. A "handset" is defined herein to include any
Bluetooth-enabled device used for communications or data processing. The Bluetooth-enabled
mobile handset may have an integrated Bluetooth capability added during manufacture
or may be upgraded to contain the Bluetooth capability after manufacture. In any
case, the adapter module exchanges digitized audio information, such as digitized
spoken words, with the Bluetooth-enabled mobile handset, thereby allowing users
to carry on a conversation with a remote user via the hands-free car kit created
by the adapter module and their Bluetooth-enabled mobile handset.
Embodiments of the present invention described herein provide an adapter
module for adapting a car radio modified to accept an adapter module for communications
with a Bluetooth-enabled mobile handset, thereby allowing all Bluetooth-enabled
mobile handsets to utilize this hands-free car kit. Presently available hands-free
car kits only work with a very limited number of mobile handsets. The present invention
creates a hands-free car kit that works with any Bluetooth-enabled mobile handset,
significantly mitigating the associated costs of acquiring a compatible hands-free
car kit in terms of time, money and effort with upgrading to any Bluetooth-enabled
phone. Once an embodiment of the present invention is installed with a modified
car radio, any number of future substitutions of different Bluetooth-enabled mobile
handsets will incur no additional cost regarding the hands-free car kit, because
the hands-free car kit in combination with the modified car radio is compatible
with all such Bluetooth-enabled mobile handsets and other such Bluetooth-enabled
devices, to the extent they operate on a compatible Bluetooth standard. Embodiments
of the present invention thereby make it easier for a user to upgrade as often
as they choose to better Bluetooth-enabled mobile handsets, or change to more cost-effective
Bluetooth-enabled mobile handsets.
"Bluetooth" refers to a specification designed to standardize wireless
transmission between a wide variety of devices, such as personal computers ("PCs"),
cordless telephones, headsets, printers, personal digital assistants ("PDAs"),
etc. Bluetooth acts as a "virtual cable," whereby a computer can automatically
use a mobile telecommunications device (such as a mobile cell phone) to send data
wirelessly, such as exchange e-mail, transmit data to a fax machine, etc. Under
the Bluetooth specification, Bluetooth devices will operate in a part of the electromagnetic
spectrum that in most countries, including the United States, have agreed will
remain unlicensed. The Bluetooth transceiver operates in the 2.4 GHz ISM band.
The Bluetooth spectrum ranges from 2.4000 GHz to 2.4835 GHz, thus yielding 83.5
MHz of allocated bandwidth which includes a 2 MHz lower guardband, a 3.5 MHz upper
guard band and 78 1 MHz channels in the available 78 MHz between the guardbands
for communications. Bluetooth operates using frequency hopping spread spectrum,
where data packets are spread across the Bluetooth Spectrum at a nominal rate of
1,600 hops per second to lessen interference and fading. According to the Bluetooth
specification, Bluetooth devices are slated to operate their antennas, for example
having zero directional gain, at one of three different maximum antenna power levels,
i.e., 1 mW, 2.5 mW and 100 mW. The nominal link range is 10 meters, and the gross
data rate is 10 Mbps, although increases may be possible. Bluetooth can support
both synchronous connection oriented (SCO) links for voice and asynchronous connectionless
(ACL) links for packet data. Generally speaking, Bluetooth communications are not
directly compatible with most mobile wireless handset telephones in use today,
many of which operate on code division multiple access (known as "CDMA") or time
division multiple access (known as "TDMA") principles that employ different signaling
protocols on different frequencies.
Details on Bluetooth may be found at http://www.Bluetooth.com, http://www.palowireless.com,
"Bluetooth Revealed", Miller & Bisdikian, Prentice Hall PTR, 2001, and "Bluetooth
Demystified", Muller, McGraw-Hill, 2001, and in particular, "Specification of the
Bluetooth System," version 1.1: http://www.Bluetooth.com/developer/specification/specification.asp.
The following description provides specific details for a thorough understanding
of, and enabling description for embodiments of the invention. However, one skilled
in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without these details.
In other instances, well known structures and functions have not been shown or
described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments
of the invention. While aspects of the invention are described herein as employing
the Bluetooth protocol, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that aspects
of the invention are equally applicable with other communication protocols and
standards, including those encompassing other short range wireless networks such
as IEEE 802.11, contactless smart cards, IrDA standards, Home RF, etc.
Turning to FIG. 1, an adapter module 100 is shown. The adapter module
100 contains a radio connector 102 for physically and electrically
mating with a corresponding adapter module connector 104 in a modified car
radio 106. The adapter module connector 104 is not restricted to
placement on any particular portion of the car radio. The adapter module connector
104 may be positioned on a side of the car radio proximal to the user (such
as the front for easy user connectability), distal to the user (such as on the
back and in the dash for a less cluttered front appearance), or any other side.
In an alternative embodiment the adapter module 104 is inserted into the
car radio. In another alternative embodiment, the adapter module 104 is
connected to car components behind the dash which integrate with an audio IN/OUT
of the car for interaction with various in-car systems. In yet another alternative
embodiment, the adapter module 104 is integrated into the main connection
point for all in-car systems i.e. a wiring harness. Note that the present invention
is not limited to electrical communications; other forms of communications, such
as optical communications are also envisioned. The radio connector 102 is
also connected to car radio communications logic 108. The car radio communications
logic 108 contains circuitry for receiving digitized voice signals and transmitting
digitized or analog voice signals, depending on the type of car radio being used,
to the modified car radio 106 through the mated radio connector 102
and adapter module connector 104.
The car radio communications logic 108 is adapted for communication with
a particular car radio or set of car radios. The number of different adapter modules
100 corresponds to the number of different car radio communication styles.
The car radio communications logic 108 exchanges voice signals with voice
codec logic 110 which converts the voice signals into an encoded speech
format for exchange with a radio signaling codec 112 portion of Bluetooth
logic 114. In one embodiment, the voice codec logic 110 converts
outgoing analog voice signals into a digital form before converting them into an
encoded speech format. The radio signaling codec 112 exchanges the voice
signals with the voice codec logic 110 and Bluetooth logic 114. The
radio signaling codec 112 exchanges a bit stream of digitized voice signals
with the Bluetooth logic 114.
Analogous to the car radio communications logic 108, the Bluetooth
logic 114 contains circuitry for wirelessly exchanging digitized voice signals
with an external device, e.g., the Bluetooth-enabled mobile handset, substantially
according to the Bluetooth specification. The Bluetooth logic 114 may perform
encryption and decryption of the voice signals under the Bluetooth specification
for wireless communications. The Bluetooth logic 114 is operatively connected
to an antenna suitable for communications under Bluetooth specification that may
be internal or external to the adapter module. Bluetooth chips and/or chipsets
are expected to be available in commercial quantities from Ericsson (Sweden), Motorola
(Illinois), and Nokia (Finland), among others. The car radio communications logic
108, the voice codec logic 110, the radio signaling codec 112,
the Bluetooth logic 114 and a user control interface 116 are connected
to and controlled by control logic 118. The control logic 118 includes
a central processing unit (known as a "CPU") and memory 120, which in one
embodiment is flash memory. The user control interface 116 includes buttons,
LEDs and associated drivers and logic to receive input from the user and display
status conditions back to the user, in general, to provide the interface between
the user and the adapter module 100. For example, the user control interface
116 indicates successful adapter module 100 and hands-free car kit
mating, power on-off and the establishment of communications with a Bluetooth-enabled
mobile handset or other device. In one embodiment the user control interface 116
is hidden behind or under a vehicle dashboard.
The adapter module 100 receives its electrical power through a power connector
122. The power connector is connected to an electrical power source made
available from a car radio power connector 124 added to the modified radio
106 (or provided elsewhere in the car, such as via a cigarette lighter socket).
Electrical power received from the modified car radio 106 through mated
or coupled radio power connector 124 and the power connector 122
is distributed within the adapter module 100 to where electrical power is
needed inside the adapter module 100. The adapter module 100 contains
a microphone connector 126 for electrically coupling with an external microphone
128. Electrical power passes through the microphone connector through a
microphone cable 130 to the microphone 128 and voice signals are
returned back from the microphone 128 through the microphone cable 130
and through the microphone connector 126 to the car radio communications
logic 108. The microphone 128 may be mounted on a dashboard, near
a visor or in any other convenient places in the user's car.
Voice signals from a remote user are transmitted from the modified car radio
106 to a speaker system for the audio output to the user, as explained below.
In another embodiment, the adapter module 100 is not limited to voice signals,
but is adapted to exchange voice and/or data signals, e.g., for exchanging data
with other parts or contents of the vehicle capable of exchanging data.
The user, or others, can easily install the adapter module 100 into the
modified car radio 106 by bringing the adapter module 100 into proximity
with the modified car radio 106 with the radio connector 102 facing
the adapter module connector 104 and pushing the adapter module 100
closer to the modified car radio 106 until a physical and electrical connection
between the connectors 102, 104 is made, resulting in the connectors
102, 204 being mated. The adapter module connector 102 is
brought into alignment with the adapter module connector 104 in order for
mating to occur.
The present invention is not limited to any one particular embodiment for ensuring
that the connectors 102, 104 are properly aligned in order to be
mated. For example, the adapter module 100 may be physically keyed so that
misorientation is not possible, likewise, the connectors 102, 104
may also be keyed. The connectors may also be made symmetrical so orientation is
less important. Markings can be placed on the surface of the adapter module 100,
and corresponding instructions included in an accompanying manual, to guide the
user in making a proper connection. In one embodiment one or more small lights,
such as an light emitting diode (known as an "LED") is controlled by the user control
interface 116 in the adapter module 100 and placed on a surface of
the adapter module 100 facing the interior of the vehicle. One of the small
lights indicates that a proper connection has been made and the setup is working.
Another small light indicates that communications between the adapter module 200
and a Bluetooth-enabled device has been established.
By way of example, in one embodiment, a user driving her vehicle may make a phone
call to or accept a phone call from a friend on the user's Bluetooth-enabled mobile
telephone handset. The user's voice response is picked up by the microphone 128
and operatively coupled to the adapter module 100. The microphone 128
transmits the voice signals through the microphone cable 130 and connector
126 to the car radio communications logic 108. The car radio communications
logic 108 passes the digitized voice signals to the voice codec logic 110,
which in turn creates encoded speech with the voice signals, and passes the voice
signals to the radio signaling codec 112 portion of the Bluetooth logic
114. The radio signaling codec 112 translates the encoded voice signals
into a bit stream representation and sends the voice signals to the Bluetooth logic
114 under control of the control logic 118. The Bluetooth logic 114
takes the digitized voice signals and passes them wirelessly, and substantially
according to the Bluetooth specification, to the user's Bluetooth-enabled handset,
which transmits the digitized voice signals to the user's friend via the wireless
and possibly other networks to the friend's telephone.
The friend vocally responds to the user and the friend's voice is transmitted
to the user's Bluetooth-enabled mobile handset. The Bluetooth-enabled mobile handset
passes the friend's digitized voice signals to the Bluetooth logic 114 in
the adapter module 100 substantially according to the Bluetooth specification.
The Bluetooth logic 114 passes the digitized voice signals to the radio
signaling codec 112 portion of the Bluetooth logic 114 in a bit stream
format. The radio signaling codec 112 transforms the voice signal bit stream
into an encoded voice signal format passes the voice signals to the voice codec
110. The voice codec receives the encoded voice signals and translates those
signals into an analog or digital format as may be compatible with the modified
car radio 106 and transmits the audio signals to the car radio communications
logic 108. In one embodiment, the car radio communications logic 108
transmits the digitized voice signals through the radio connector 102 in
the format expected by the modified car radio 106. The modified car radio
106 transmits the voice signals to the speaker system 132 to enable
to hear the friend.
In one embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 2, an adapter
module
100 is shown. As described herein, the adapter module 100 contains
the radio connector 102 for physically and electrically mating with a corresponding
adapter module connector 104 in the modified car radio 106. Signals
are transmitted in a unidirectional fashion from the adapter module 100
to the modified car radio 106 via the mated connectors 102, 104.
The modified car radio 106 is modified from some other car radios in the
sense that the adapter module connector 102 has been added to the modified
car radio 106. In one embodiment, the modified car radio 106 also
includes a radio power connector 124 for transmitting electrical power to
the adapter module 100. In another embodiment, the adapter module 100
receives its electrical power from elsewhere in the vehicle. A mute mux 200
is included in the modified car radio 106. The mute mux 200 is a
multiplexer capable of being controlled by a mux control signal over a control
line 202. In one embodiment the mux control signal is transmitted from the
control logic 118 in the adapter module 100 over the control line
202. The mux control signal causes the car radio 106 to transmit
voice signals from the adapter module 100 to the speaker system 132
by switching the mute mux output from a car radio 106 audio output to the
adapter module 100 audio output. In this fashion the adapter module 100
controls the audio output of the modified car radio 106 and the speaker
system 132 to switch from, e.g. outputting music to outputting the friend's
conversation, and thereby create a hands-free car kit compatible with Bluetooth-enabled devices.
An illustrative view of the paths taken by the voice signals in one embodiment
of the present invention is shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, the user's Bluetooth-enabled
handset 300 is engaged in wireless communications with a remote handset
302, which may or may not be Blue-tooth enabled. Voice signals received
by the user's handset 300 take a first path 304, while voice signals
generated by the user take a second path. For example, signals transmitted by the
remote handset 302 are received by the user's Bluetooth-enabled handset
300 and transmitted through the adapter module 100 as described herein
to the modified car radio 106 and finally to the speaker system 132
for audio output to the user. Voice signals generated by the user are received
by the microphone 128 and transmitted through the adapter module 100
as described herein to the user's Bluetooth-enabled handset 302. The user's
Bluetooth-enabled handset 302 transmits the voice signals to the remote
user's handset 302 for audio reproduction to the remote user. Thus described
herein is a system and method enabling the user to employ their Bluetooth-enabled
mobile wireless handset 300 in a hands-free manner in a vehicle for communication
with a remote user. In another embodiment, control signals are transmitted to the
car radio 106 to control various functions in the car radio 106 in
addition to the mute mux 200.
The advantages of the present invention combine to overcome or mitigate a number
of shortcomings of prior hands-free car kits as well as provide additional benefits.
For example, embodiments of the present invention overcome the problem of users
trying to hold their wireless handsets while driving, without installing a current
hands-free car kit. This allows any Bluetooth-enabled handset to communicate through
the adapter module to the vehicle's speaker system. Embodiments of the present
invention mitigate the problem of the associated time, money and effort required
associated with replacing incompatible hands-free car kits by providing an adapter
module for a modified car radio to create a hands-free car kit so it no longer
requires replacement for Bluetooth-enabled devices each time they have acquired,
or wish to acquire, a new Bluetooth-enabled mobile handset, by giving such incompatible
car kits a Bluetooth communications capability with the adapter module. In one
embodiment it is expected that users could quickly and easily install the adapter
module by connecting it into modified car radio. It is also expected that the adapter
module will be considerably less expensive than replacing a hands-free car kit,
thereby reducing the amount of time, money and effort required to gain a compatible
hands-free car kit for their Bluetooth-enabled handset.
Those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that while adapter modules
are described herein in combination with Bluetooth communications, the invention
may employ any wireless communication standard or device. Such a standard or device
may have less functionality and be cheaper to implement than the described adapter
module. Aspects of the invention can be embodied in a special purpose computer
or data processor that is specifically programmed, configured, or constructed to
perform one or more of the computer-executable instructions explained in detail
herein. Indeed, the term "adapter module", as used generally herein, refers to
any of the above devices, as well as to any data processor. The terms "car radio"
or "modified car radio" apply to any audio device attached to a vehicle for carrying
people. Data structures and transmission of data particular to aspects of the invention
are also encompassed within the scope of the invention. In general, while hardware
platforms such as stationary and mobile devices are described herein, aspects of
the invention are equally applicable to nodes on the network having corresponding
resource locators to identify such nodes.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description
and the claims, the words "comprise," "comprising," and the like are to be construed
in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to
say, in a sense of "including, but not limited to." Words using the singular or
plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally,
the words "herein," "hereunder," "above", "below," and words of similar import,
when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not
to any particular portions of this application.
The above detailed descriptions of embodiments of the invention are not intended
to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above.
While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above
for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within
the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.
The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems,
not necessarily the system described herein. The various embodiments described
herein can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes
can be made to the invention in light of the detailed description.
All of the above references and U.S. patents and applications are incorporated
herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to
employ the systems, functions and concepts of the various patents and applications
described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.
These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the above
detailed description. In general, the terms used in the following claims, should
not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in
the specification, unless the above detailed description explicitly defines such
terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses the disclosed
embodiments and all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention
under the claims.
While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim
forms, the inventors contemplate the various aspects of the invention in any number
of claim forms. For example, while only one aspect of the invention is recited
as embodied in a computer-readable medium, other aspects may likewise be embodied
in a computer-readable medium. Accordingly, the inventors reserve the right to
add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim
forms for other aspects of the invention.
Incorporated by reference herein are all above references, patents,
or applications and the following U.S. patent applications, which are assigned
to the assignee of this application: patent application Ser. No. 10/036,151. entitled,
Apparatus For Providing Power And Wireless Protocol Capability To A Mobile Device,
Such As A Wireless Phone, filed Dec. 31, 2001; and patent application Ser. No.
10/036,109, entitled, System and Method For Providing An Adapter Module, filed
Dec. 31, 2001.
*
