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Mobile Phone Patent Abstract
A retractable cord for mobile phones or other wireless devices.
The cord includes an ear piece having a speaker for delivering sound
to a user and possibly having a microphone. The retractable cord
can be contained within a separate unit with a connector for attachment
to a connector on the mobile phone or other wireless device, such
as a jack or other receptacle, or it can be contained internally
within those devices. The cord can retract onto a spring-loaded
spool, or via other retractable mechanisms, and be held at various
extended positions with a stop mechanism that prevents retraction
of the cord.
Mobile Phone Patent Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A mobile phone having a retractable cord, comprising: a mobile
phone contained within a housing, the mobile phone having an internal
microphone contained within the housing and an internal speaker
contained within the housing; a retractable mechanism in the mobile
phone and containing a cord capable of transmitting an electrical
signal, the retractable mechanism operating to permit extension
of the cord from the mobile phone through an aperture and retract
at least a portion of the cord into the mobile phone through the
aperture, wherein the cord is operable independent from an antenna
in the mobile phone, and wherein the retractable mechanism is contained
within the housing and not within a separate housing detachable
from the housing; and an ear piece attached to the cord extending
from the aperture, wherein the ear piece is electrically connected
with the mobile phone via the cord, the ear piece including a speaker
and having an associated external microphone, wherein a user can
selectively receive an output of the mobile phone from the internal
speaker and from the ear piece, and wherein the user can selectively
provide an input to the mobile phone via the internal microphone
and via the microphone associated with the ear piece.
2. The mobile phone of claim 1, wherein the retractable mechanism
includes a spring-loaded spool.
3. The mobile phone of claim 1, further including a stop mechanism
in the mobile phone and operatively connected to the retractable
mechanism for holding the cord when extracted from the housing at
selected positions.
4. The mobile phone of claim 1, wherein the ear piece includes
at least one of the following: an ear plug to be inserted into a
user's ear or a headset to placed against or proximate the users
ear.
5. The mobile phone of claim 1, further including a stopper on
the cord to prevent retraction of a portion of the cord through
the aperture.
6. The mobile phone of claim 1 wherein the cord is retractable
through the aperture in a top of the mobile phone.
7. The mobile phone of claim 1 wherein the cord is retractable
through the aperture in a side of the mobile phone.
8. A wireless device having a retractable cord, comprising: a wireless
device contained within a housing and capable of receiving and processing
wireless signals to provide an output, the wireless device having
an internal speaker contained within the housing; a retractable
mechanism in the wireless device and containing a cord capable of
transmitting an electrical signal, to retractable mechanism operating
to permit extension of the cord from the wireless device through
an aperture and retract at least a portion of the cord into the
wireless device through the aperture, wherein the cord is operable
independent from an antenna in the wireless device, and wherein
the retractable mechanism is contained within the housing and not
within a separate housing detachable from the housing; and an ear
piece attached to the cord extending from the aperture, wherein
the ear piece includes a speaker capable of providing the output
and is electrically connected with the wireless device via the cord,
wherein a user can selectively receive the output of the wireless
device from the internal speaker and from the ear piece.
9. The wireless device of claim 8 wherein the retractable mechanism
includes a spring-loaded spool.
10. The wireless device of claim 8, further including a stop mechanism
in the wireless device and operatively connected to the retractable
mechanism for holding the cord when extracted from the housing at
selected positions.
11. The wireless device of claim 8 wherein the ear piece includes
at least one of the following: an ear plug to be inserted into a
user's ear; or a headset to placed against or proximate the user's
car.
12. The wireless device of claim 8 wherein the ear piece includes
a speaker and a microphone.
13. The wireless device of claim 8, further including a stopper
on the cord to prevent retraction of a portion of the cord through
the aperture.
14. The wireless device of claim 8 wherein the wireless device
comprises one of the following: a personal digital assistant; an
Internet appliance; an MP3 player; or a personal stereo.
Mobile Phone Patent Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a retractable cord for a mobile
phone or other wireless device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a conventional mobile phone 10 having a
microphone 18 for converting a user's voice into electrical signals
and a speaker 12 for converting electrical signals into sound for
the user to hear. The user can enter phone numbers or other information
using a key pad 16 and view information on a display panel 14. Conventional
mobile phone 10 also has circuitry (not shown) to receive, transmit,
and process electrical signals for wireless mobile phone communication.
Mobile phones, commonly referred to as "cell phones,"
and their operation are well known in the art.
FIG. 2 is a diagram of a conventional cord 24 for mobile phone
10. Cord 24 has a connector 28, such as a phone-type plug, to be
inserted into a corresponding connector, such as a jack or other
receptacle, on mobile phone 10. Many mobile phones have such a connector
as illustrated by a device connector 20 on a top 11 and a device
connector 22 on a side 13 of mobile phone 10. Usually, a mobile
phone has only one connector, and device connectors 20 and 22 are
both shown to illustrate typical locations for the connectors.
When plugged into mobile phone 10, cord 24 permits a user to hear
sound through a speaker in an ear piece 30 to be inserted into the
user's ear in this example. A section 26 of the cord electrically
connects speaker 30 with connector 28 and can include, for example,
wires within a protective coating. Conventional cord 24 also typically
includes a microphone in ear piece 30 for converting a user's voice
into an electrical signal. Certain conventional cords 24 have the
microphone separately attached to section 26, as represented by
a microphone 25. The separate microphone 25 is located, for example,
approximately twelve inches from ear piece 30 so that it is close
to a user's mouth when ear piece 30 is inserted into the user's
ear. Other types of separate microphones include boom microphones,
and other types of ear pieces include headsets having a speaker
for placement against or proximate a user's ear.
The insertion of cord 24 into device connectors 20 or 22 de-activates
speaker 12 and microphone 18 and permits hands-free use of mobile
phone 10. It also permits the user to locate mobile phone 10 away
from his or her head and thus avoid or minimize potential adverse
effects of electromagnetic energy from the phone's antenna.
Mobile phone 10, however, provides no convenient way to store cord
24. For example, a user may wrap cord 24 around mobile phone 10
when not in use, or the user may simply bunch up the cord apart
from the mobile phone and place it in the user's pocket, purse,
or briefcase. When stored in any of those ways, cord 24 can become
tangled, making it difficult to quickly insert ear piece 30 into
the user's ear in order to answer an incoming telephone call or
to make an outgoing call. When stored apart from the mobile phone,
cord 24 can become lost or not easily located for attachment to
mobile phone 10 to answer or make a telephone call.
Accordingly, a need exists for a more convenient way to store and
attach a cord for a mobile phone or other wireless device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A mobile phone or other wireless device consistent with the present
invention includes a retractable cord having an ear piece. A retractable
mechanism in the mobile phone or other wireless device operates
to permit extension of the cord from the mobile phone or other wireless
device through an aperture and retract at least a portion of the
cord into the mobile phone or other wireless device through the
aperture.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a
part of this specification and, together with the description, explain
the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings,
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a conventional mobile phone;
FIG. 2 is a diagram of a conventional cord for the mobile phone;
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a separate retractable cord unit
for a mobile phone in a first configuration;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a separate retractable cord unit
for a mobile phone in a second configuration;
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a separate retractable cord unit
for a mobile phone and further illustrating an alternative way to
connect the cord unit to the mobile phone;
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating, in a rear view, an internal retractable
cord for a mobile phone in a first configuration;
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating, in a side view, an internal retractable
cord for the mobile phone shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating, in a rear view, an internal retractable
cord for a mobile phone in a second configuration;
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating, in a side view, an internal retractable
cord for the mobile phone shown in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a top sectional view of a retractable mobile phone cord
unit in a first configuration;
FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of a retractable mobile phone
cord unit for the first configuration shown in FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is a top sectional view of a retractable mobile phone cord
unit in a second configuration; and
FIG. 13 is a side sectional view of a retractable mobile phone
cord unit for the second configuration shown in FIG. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A cord consistent with the present invention is retractable, either
in a separate unit or internally within a mobile phone or other
wireless device. A user can easily extend the cord in order, for
example, to insert an ear piece of the cord into the user's ear
or place an ear piece against or proximate the user's ear for answering
an incoming telephone call or making an outgoing call, or listening
to music. After the call, the user can retract the cord in order
to conveniently store it in the device or separate unit.
Retractable Cord Unit
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a separate retractable cord unit
32 for mobile phone 10 in a first configuration. Unit 32 includes
a housing 40 for containing a retractable mechanism to retract a
cord 34, in this example a spring-loaded spool as represented by
coil 38 and further explained below. The term "retractable
mechanism" includes any mechanism for retracting a cord and
permitting extension of at least part of it.
An ear piece 36 is attached to cord 34 that can be extended from
and retracted into housing 40. Cord 34, and other cords identified
below, can be of any length. For example, it may be long enough
to permit the user to clip the mobile phone to a belt while using
the ear piece. The cords can be made of varying lengths for different
devices.
Ear piece 36 contains a speaker and possibly a microphone. An example
of an ear piece having both a speaker and a microphone is described
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,444, which is incorporated herein by reference.
The ear piece need not contain a microphone since an external microphone
may be used such as a separate microphone attached to the cord.
Also, certain wireless devices, such as an MP3 player or a personal
stereo, may only generate sound and thus have no requirement or
capability for receiving sound. Ear pieces can include both devices
to be inserted into a user's ear, such as an ear plug with a speaker,
or devices to be placed against or proximate a user's ear, such
as headsets or similar devices. Also, an ear piece can be either
directly connected to the cord or attached to it through a detachable
clip that permits a user to connect different types of ear pieces
to the cord.
A cord connector 35, such as a phone-type plug, is attached to
housing 40, or a length of cord, and is electrically connected to
cord 34, for example, within the housing. Cord connector 35 can
be inserted into device connector 20 on mobile phone 10. The type
of cord connector may depend upon the type of phone or device connector
within the mobile phone or other wireless device. Although a phone-type
plug is shown for connecting with a connector for illustrative purposes,
other connectors can be used. The term "cord connector"
includes any type of removable connector for providing electrical
communication. The term "device connector" includes any
type of connector for receiving a cord connector for providing electrical
communication.
When in use, cord connector 35 is inserted into device connector
20, and housing 40 can rest against the top 11 of mobile phone 10
in this exemplary embodiment. A user can extend cord 34 by grasping
ear piece 36, or a section of the cord, and pulling it out of housing
40. A stop mechanism in housing 40 can hold the cord at particular
extended positions so that it is not under tension from the spring-loaded
spool or other retractable mechanism. Once held in position, the
user can extend cord 34 slightly by pulling on it in order to release
the stop mechanism, in one exemplary implementation, and permit
the spring-loaded spool or other retractable mechanism to retract
cord 34 into housing 40.
The term "stop mechanism" includes any mechanism for
releasably holding a cord at least at one particular extended position.
Examples of stop mechanisms include mechanisms that hold and release
the cord through force applied to the cord itself or through other
devices such as a release button external to the housing and attached
to a mechanism internal to the housing to hold the cord in place.
Manipulation of the release button, in that example, activates and
releases the stop mechanism.
An aperture in housing 40 can be large enough to permit passage
of cord 34 and small enough to not permit passage of ear piece 36.
Therefore, when retracted, ear piece 36 rests against housing 40.
Alternatively, cord 34 can include a stopper 33, such as a rubber
or plastic washer, on cord 34 and proximate ear piece 36 in order
extend ear piece 36 a certain amount when the cord is fully retracted.
Stopper 33 may make it easier for a user to grasp and extend the
cord by holding the stopper and may also help protect the ear piece
by allowing the user to extend the cord without grasping the ear
piece. Stopper 33, and others identified below, can be located at
any particular distance from the ear piece on the cord and can possibly
be adjustable by permitting a user to slide the stopper along the
cord.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a separate retractable cord unit
42 for mobile phone 10 in a second configuration for use with cord
connector 45 on the side 13 in this exemplary embodiment. Unit 42
includes a housing 50 containing a retractable mechanism, in this
example a spring-loaded spool as represented by coil 48. It can
also contain a stop mechanism. A cord 44 is attached to an ear piece
46 and can extend from and retract into housing 50. Unit 42 otherwise
can have the same configuration and operation as unit 32 described
above.
Alternatively, one retractable cord unit can have multiple connectors
such as both connectors 35 and 45 for use with mobile phones or
other wireless devices having connectors in different locations.
As another alternative, FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating unit 42
for mobile phone 10 and further illustrating an alternative way
to connect unit 42 to device connector 22. In particular, unit 42
can include a section of cord 41 attached to both unit 42 and a
cord connector 43 for use providing electrical communication with
connector 22. Instead of attaching to unit 42, section of cord 41
can include a retractable cord connected to the retractable mechanism
and thus also attached to cord 44. Therefore, the cord can be retractable
on both ends, the end with the ear piece and the end for connection
with the mobile phone. Use of a section of cord or retractable cord
for the cord connector can involve attachment to any side of the
housing, and the alternative is shown with respect to one particular
side in FIG. 5 for exemplary purposes only.
Accordingly, attachment of a cord connector to the housing for
the separate retractable unit can include, for example, attaching
the cord connector to housing, attaching it to the housing via a
section of cord, or attaching it to the housing via a retractable
cord.
Internal Retractable Cord
FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams illustrating, in a rear and side views,
an internal retractable cord for mobile phone 10 in a first configuration.
Instead of containing the retractable cord in a separate housing,
as explained above, it can be contained within the mobile phone.
Conventional mobile phone 10 can be modified to include such a retractable
cord.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, mobile phone 10 includes for this modification
a compartment 52 containing a retractable mechanism, in this example
a spring-loaded spool as represented by coil 54. Compartment 52
can also contain a stop mechanism. A cord 58 is attached to an ear
piece 60 for extending from and retracting into mobile phone 10
through an aperture 56. Aperture 56 is preferably large enough to
permit passage of cord 58 and small enough to prevent passage of
ear piece 60. When retracted and not in use, ear piece 60 rests,
for example, against the top 11 of mobile phone 10 or can rest in
a prefabricated cradle built into mobile phone 10. The cradle can
include a shape configured, for example, to mate with at least a
portion of the ear piece such that the mated portion of the ear
piece lies substantially flush with the mobile phone. Alternatively,
cord 58 can include a stopper 53, such as a rubber or plastic washer,
on cord 58 and proximate ear piece 60 in order extend ear piece
60 a certain amount when the cord is fully retracted, which may
provide the advantages identified above with respect to stopper
33.
FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate in rear and side views a modification
of mobile phone 10 for locating the cord on the side 13. For this
modification, mobile phone 10 includes a compartment 62 containing
a retractable mechanism, in this example a spring-loaded spool as
represented by coil 64. Compartment 62 can also contain a stop mechanism.
A cord 68 is attached to an ear piece 70 for extending from and
retracting into mobile phone 10 through an aperture 66. Aperture
66 is preferably large enough to permit passage of cord 68 and small
enough to prevent passage of ear piece 70. When retracted and not
in use, ear piece 70 rests, for example, against the top 13 of mobile
phone 10 or can rest in a cradle built into the phone. This configuration
can alternatively include a stopper on cord 68 similar to stopper
53.
Any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6-9 can include any of the
exemplary ear pieces identified above. They can also include a clip
on the cord to attach different types of ear pieces for use with
the mobile phone.
Retractable Mechanism and Stop Mechanism
FIGS. 10 and 11 are top and side sectional views of a retractable
cord unit 32 shown in FIG. 3 illustrating the operation of an exemplary
retractable mechanism and a stop mechanism. Housing 40 contains
a spool 72 mounted on a pin 80 for rotation. A coil spring 74 applies
tension to spool 72 for retracting and winding cord 34 onto spool
72, as shown by coil 38 for this example. A section 82 of the cord
is attached to cord connector 35 and internally attached to coil
38 for providing an electrical connection between cord connector
35 and cord 34.
The stop mechanism in this example includes a pivotally mounted
pawl 76 cooperating with a plate 79 rotationally connected with
spool 72 on pin 80. Pawl 76 can stop rotation of spool 72 by contacting
a dimple such as dimple 78 on plate 79, thus holding a extended
position of cord 34. Slightly extending cord 34 when held by the
stop mechanism releases pawl 76, permitting spool 72 to retract
cord 34. Stop mechanisms can also include, for example, an external
release button as described above.
FIGS. 12 and 13 are top and side sectional views of a retractable
cord unit 42 shown in FIG. 4 illustrating the operation of an exemplary
retractable mechanism and stop mechanism for this embodiment. As
shown, housing 50 can include the same internal components as housing
40 except that it has a section 98 of cord 44 attached to cord connector
45 and to coil 48 for providing electrical connection between cord
connector 45 and cord 44. In this embodiment, the cord connector
is contained on a side perpendicular to a side from which the cord
extends, rather than on an opposite side for unit 32. Otherwise,
unit 42 can internally function the same as unit 32. FIG. 12 also
illustrates the alternative use of a section of cord 41, possibly
retractable, for attaching cord connector 43 to housing 50.
The embodiments for a retractable cord internal to mobile phone
10, as shown in FIGS. 6-9, or other wireless device can use the
same retractable mechanism and stop mechanism as shown within housings
40 and 50 except that those components are mounted within the mobile
phone or other wireless device. Also, since the cord is within the
mobile phone in those embodiments, the cord can be internally connected
directly to the mobile phone circuitry. The internal components
can include a switch connected to the spring-loaded spool or other
retractable mechanism. Extending the cord can engage or trigger
the switch in order to de-activate the conventional speaker and
microphone in mobile phone 10 and activate the ear piece and possibly
a microphone on the cord. Alternatively, mobile phone 10 can have
programming such that a user-entered command via key pad 16 activates
and deactivates use of the cord and the conventional device speaker
and microphone.
The retractable mechanism and stop mechanism in the embodiments
described above can be implemented, for example, with mechanisms
known in the art. Examples of retractable cords and stop mechanisms
are described in the following patents, all of which are incorporated
herein by reference: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,088,021; 6,065,080; 6,019,304;
and 5,094,396. Furthermore, as illustrated in, for example, U.S.
Pat. Nos. 6,088,021 and 6,065,080, retractable mechanisms with stop
mechanisms can have a small form factor and thus need not significantly
increase the size of the mobile phone or other wireless device and,
likewise, can be implemented in a small separate housing. It can
be implemented of any particular size; however, using a small form
factor may provide that advantage and, when implemented in a separate
housing, may be more easily carried and stored in containers such
as a purse or briefcase.
In addition to mobile phones, the retractable cord can be implemented
within a housing for use with other wireless devices or actually
within other wireless devices. Examples of other wireless devices,
in addition to mobile phones, include the following: personal digital
assistants (PDAs); Internet appliances; MP3 players; and personal
stereos such as Walkman products. The separate retractable cord
unit, or internal retractable cord, can be configured and operate
the same as those embodiments described above.
For any of the embodiments implemented with as a separate unit,
the housing for the unit can have any shape. A square shape is shown
for illustrative purposed only. It can also be implemented with,
for example, a shape having a combination of curved surfaces, a
shape having a combination of planar surfaces, a shape having a
combination of curved and planar surfaces, or an irregular shape.
Also, the shape may depend upon, for example, the shape or configuration
of the mobile phone or other wireless device for its intended use.
In particular, the housing can be made of various shapes in order
to mate with various types of mobile phones or other wireless devices.
In addition, the exterior of the housing can have various colors,
logos, patterns, monograms, or text. For example, it can have advertisements,
or it can be personalized to include a user's name or initials.
It can be made of any type of material such as, for example, a molded
plastic or a metal material.
While the present invention has been described in connection with
an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood that many modifications
will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and this application
is intended to cover any adaptations or variations thereof. For
example, various shapes and configurations for the separate retractable
cord unit, and various types of retractable and stop mechanisms,
may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. This
invention should be limited only by the claims and equivalents thereof. |