Portable communications device

Abstract

A portable communications device having a base that can be worn on the user's wrist, a wireless earpiece that can be concealed when worn, and a novel audio link that allows the earpiece to communicate with the base. Each audio link is programmed to communicate with any base unit of the present invention but with only one earpiece. The audio links and earpieces can be packaged and sold together, and the base units can be packaged and sold separately. The base includes a novel keypad having keys that are positioned around the periphery of the base in a sequence which matches that used on old rotary dial phones and which allows the user to access the keys without having to look at them. The earpiece includes the microphone into which the user talks. The microphone can easily detect and transmit the user's voice, yet is mostly concealed from passersby. Thus, the user can use the portable communications device while conducting other activities but without making it obvious to observers that he or she is using the device.

Description

[0001] The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 404,160, filed Apr. 1, 2003, the complete disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Alexander Graham Bell was awarded U.S. Pat. No. 174,465 for a telephone in 1876. Over the next century, telephones became smaller and easier to operate. Cellular phones originated in 1947, when researchers looked at crude mobile (car) phones and realized that by using small cells (range of service area) and reusing frequencies they could increase the traffic capacity of mobile phones. By 1987, cellular telephone subscribers exceeded one million. Personal Communication Services (PCS) differ from cellular in that they use a different radio frequency and generally use all-digital technology for transmission and reception. Portable communications devices continue to improve. [0003] Notwithstanding these improvements, however, the most popular portable tel...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] Another key advantage of the present invention is that the earpiece includes both the speaker that transmits sound to the user and the microphone that transmits the sound of the user's voice to the base, which in turn transmits a signal to another device. On the other hand, the circuitry that operates the device is housed in the base, such that the earpiece can be made small and inconspicuous. When the earpiece is worn, the microphone extends slightly downward and forward of the user's ear lobe, which for the average user represents a distance of only 4-5 inches to the center of the user's mouth. Thus the microphone can easily pick up the user's voice from this distance, yet is not easily detectable by passersby. Thus, a user may be communicating with a device according to the present invention while conducting other activities. Yet, there are no unsightly headsets or other items that may make the user feel uncomfortable using the device in a public setting.

is that the earpiece includes both the speaker that transmits sound to the user and the microphone that transmits the sound of the user's voice to the base, which in turn transmits a signal to another device. On the other hand, the circuitry that operates the device is housed in the base, such that the earpiece can be made small and inconspicuous. When the earpiece is worn, the microphone extends slightly downward and forward of the user's ear lobe, which for the average user represents a distance of only 4-5 inches to the center of the user's mouth. Thus the microphone can easily pick up the user's voice from this distance, yet is not easily detectable by passersby. Thus, a user may be communicating with a device according to the present invention while conducting other activities. Yet, there are no unsightly headsets or other items that may make the user feel uncomfortable using the device in a public setting.

Problems solved by technology

Notwithstanding these improvements, however, the most popular portable telephones have several drawbacks, especially if the user is using the device while conducting other activities.

For example, using a cellular phone when operating a motor vehicle can be dangerously distracting.

However, having to hold the phone hinders most of these activities.

One disadvantage of the devices disclosed above is that the earpiece may become lost or broken, thereby requiring the user to replace the entire device.

Such an approach is undesirably expensive and wasteful if the base unit is still operable.

Another disadvantage of the above-noted devices is that their keypads are often too small for average sized fingers to operate efficiently and are arranged in an awkward location on the devices.

The above-described devices also suffer from the drawback that they are not entirely “hands-free.” For example, many of the earpieces disclosed above must be wired to the main unit.

The connecting wires may become tangled or interfere with the user's movement.

While practical, however, these headsets are perceived by many users as unsightly, and many users feel awkward or even foolish when wearing them in public.

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