WO2004110038A1

WO2004110038A1 - Two-part radio communications device

Info

Publication number: WO2004110038A1
Application number: PCT/EP2004/051001
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lian-Feng Wang; Ai-Hua Tian
Original assignee: Motorola Inc; Motorola Limited
Priority date: 2003-06-05
Filing date: 2004-06-02
Publication date: 2004-12-16
Also published as: CN1553731A

Abstract

A two-part radio communications device comprising dedicated portable transceiver circuitry (1A) in a dedicated portable transceiver housing (50) and a portable user interface circuitry (1B) in an user interface housing (51). The portable transceiver circuitry (1A) a primary radio frequency communications unit (2), providing wireless communication with a telephone network, a secondary radio frequency communications unit (5) and a transceiver processor (3). The user interface circuitry (1B) includes an interface radio frequency communications unit (32) providing radio communication with the secondary radio frequency communications unit (5), a display screen (35), an alert signal generator (45) and an interface processor (33). In use, when the primary radio frequency communications unit (2) receives an incoming telephone call, the secondary radio frequency communications, unit (5) effects communication with to the interface processor (33) through the interface radio frequency communications unit (32).

Description

TWO-PART RADIO COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to two-part radio communication device comprising a dedicated portable transceiver and user interface in communication with the dedicated portable transceiver.

BACKGROUND OF THE rNVENΗON

Portable communications devices such as cellular telephones are becoming commonplace in society. With increasing use of such devices there has been a demand for increased functionality and greater compactness for ease and convenience of use. Customarily, these portable communications devices accompany users most of the time. However, since there is trend towards greater functionality and convenient use of these devices, a need exists for a user compact interface that can communicate with a telephone network.

In this specification, including the claims, the terms 'comprises',

'comprising' or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a two- part radio communications device comprising dedicated portable transceiver circuitry in a dedicated portable transceiver housing and a portable user interface circuitry in an user interface housing, wherein the portable transceiver circuitry includes: a primary radio frequency communications unit providing wireless communication with a telephone network, a secondary radio frequency communications unit, and a transceiver processor operatively coupled to the primary radio frequency communications unit and secondary radio frequency communications unit; and wherein the user interface circuitry includes: an interface radio frequency communications unit providing radio communication with the secondary radio frequency communications unit, a display screen, an alert signal generator, and an interface processor operatively coupled to the interface transceiver, display screen and alert signal generator, Wherein, in use, when the primary radio frequency communications unit receives an mcorning telephone call, the secondary radio frequency communications unit effects communication with to the interface processor through the interface radio frequency communications unit.

Suitably, the alert signal generator provides an alert signal when the dedicated transceiver circuitry receives an incoming telephone call.

The dedicated telephone transceiver circuitry suitably comprises only circuitry for enabling wireless communication between the portable user interface and a telephone network base station.

Suitably, there is a keypad mounted to the user interface housing, the keypad being operatively coupled to the interface processor. The display screen may be a touch screen. Suitably, the keypad may be a virtual keypad on the touch screen. The dedicated portable transceiver housing has a battery compartment for storing battery cells therein for providing power to the dedicated portable transceiver circuitry.

Suitably, user interface housing has a battery compartment for storing battery cells therein for providing power to the dedicated portable transceiver circuitry.

Suitably, the dedicated portable telephone transceiver circuitry has a primary modulator /demodulator associated with the primary radio frequency communications unit; and secondary, modulator/demodulator associated with the secondary radio frequency communications unit. Preferably, the user interface circuitry has an interface modulator /demodulator associated with the interface radio frequency communications unit.

The dedicated portable transceiver housing and a portable user interface housing may suitably be releasably mountable to each other.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a battery powered portable user interface circuitry in an user interface housing, the portable user interface circuitry providing radio communication with a secondary radio frequency communications unit of a battery powered dedicated telephone transceiver, the user interface circuitry including: a display screen, an alert signal generator, and an interface processor operatively coupled to the interface radio frequency communications unit, display screen and alert signal generator,

Wherein, in use, when the dedicated telephone transceiver receives an incoming telephone call, the secondary radio frequency communications unit effects communication with to the interface processor through the interface radio frequency communications unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to a preferred embodiment as illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a two-part a radio communications device accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagram of housing parts of the two-part a radio communications device of Fig 1; Fig. 3 is a further diagram of housing parts of the two-part a radio communications device of Fig 1; and

Fig. 4 is a yet further diagram of housing parts of the two- part a radio communications device of Fig 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE

INVENΉON

In the drawings, like numerals on different Figs are used to indicate like elements throughout. With reference to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a two-part a radio communications device comprising a dedicated portable transceiver circuitry 1A in a dedicated portable transceiver housing 50 and a portable user interface circuitry IB in an user interface housing 51. The dedicated portable transceiver circuitry 1A includes a primary radio frequency communications unit 2 providing wireless communication with a telephone network as will be apparent to a person skilled in the art. The dedicated portable transceiver circuitry 1 A also includes a secondary radio frequency communications unit 5 and both the primary radio frequency communications unit 2 and secondary radio frequency communications unit 5 are operatively coupled to be in communication with a transceiver processor 3. The transceiver processor 3 includes a primary encoder/decoder 11 with an associated Read Only Memory (ROM) 12 storing data for encoding and decoding voice or other signals that may be transmitted or received by primary radio frequency communications unit 2. The transceiver processor 3 also includes a micro-processor 13 operatively coupled, by a bus 22, to the primary encoder /decoder 11, a Read Only Memory (ROM) 14, a Random Access Memory (RAM) 4 and a secondary encoder / decoder 23 having an associated ROM 24.

The Read only memory 14 stores operating code (OC) for microprocessor 13 to run the basic functions associated with the dedicated portable transceiver circuitry 1A. The primary radio frequency communications unit 2 is a combined receiver and transmitter having a common antenna 7. The primary radio frequency communications unit 2 has a transceiver 8 coupled to antenna 7 via a radio frequency amplifier 9. The transceiver 8 is also coupled to a combined primary modulator/demodulator 10 that couples the communications unit 2 to the processor 3. Also, the secondary radio frequency communications unit 5 has a transceiver 18 coupled to an antenna 16 via a radio frequency amplifier 19. The transceiver 18 is also coupled to a combined secondary modulator /demodulator 17 that couples the communications unit 5 to the processor 3.

The telephone transceiver circuitry 1A also includes a battery compartment 21 for storing battery cells for providing power to the dedicated portable transceiver circuitry 1A. The power lines from the battery compartment 21 are not shown but will be apparent to a person skilled in the art. There is also an on/off switch 6 for controlling power supplied by the battery cells in compartment 21 to dedicated portable transceiver circuitry such as the processor 3 and communications units 2,5.

The user interface circuitry IB includes an interface communications unit 32 providing radio communications with the secondary radio frequency communications unit 5. The interface communications unit 32 is operatively coupled to be in communication with an interface processor 33. The interface processor 33 includes an interface encoder/decoder 41 with an associated Read Only Memory (ROM) 42 storing data for encoding and decoding voice or other signals that may be transmitted or received by communications unit 32. The interface processor 33 also includes a microprocessor 43 operatively coupled, by a bus 50, to the encoder/ decoder 41, a Read Only Memory (ROM) 44 and a Random Access Memory (RAM) 34.

Coupled to the micro-processor 43 of the interface processor 33 are a keypad 36, display screen 35 and an alert signal generator 45. Typically, the display screen 35 may be a touch screen and the keypad 36 may be a virtual keypad on the touch screen 35.

The user interface circuitry IB also includes a battery compartment 49 for storing battery cells for providing power to the user interface circuitry IB. The power lines from the battery compartment 49 are not shown but will be apparent to a person skilled in the art. Also one of the buttons on the keypad 36 provides for controlling power supplied by the battery cells in compartment 49 to the user interface circuitry such as the processor 33 and communications units 32. The interface communications unit 32 has a transceiver 38 coupled to an antenna 37 via a radio frequency amplifier 39. The transceiver 38 is also coupled to a combined interface modulator/demodulator 40 that couples the communications unit 32 to the interface processor 33.

Referring to Figs 2 to 4 the housing parts, dedicated portable transceiver housing 50 and user interface housing 51, of the two-part radio communications device are illustrated. In this embodiment, dedicated portable transceiver housing 50 and user interface housing 51 and releasably mountable to each other about a pivotal axis 55 so that when required a user can maintain the two-part radio communications device as a single physically coupled device. However, as specifically shown in Fig. 5 the user can separate the portable transceiver housing 50 and user interface housing 51 whilst communication therebetween is maintained by the communications units 5, 32. Hence, for instance, a user may place the portable transceiver housing 50 in a bag and the interface housing 51 can be inserted in the users pocket.

Advantageously, when the present invention is in use then when the primary radio frequency communications unit 2 receives an incoming telephone call, the secondary radio frequency communications 5 unit effects communication with to the interface processor through the interface radio frequency communications unit 32. As a result, the alert signal generator 45 provides an alert signal when the dedicated transceiver circuitry 1 A receives an incoming telephone call.

Typically, the dedicated portable transceiver circuitry 1A comprises only circuitry for enabling wireless communication between the portable user interface and a telephone network base station. Further, the interface radio frequency communications unit 32 has a low power requirement and therefore the battery compartment 49 can be relatively small. Accordingly, the functionality of the user interface IB can be diverse whilst the size of the interface IB can be reduced and still provide for communication to a telephone network through telephone transceiver circuitry 1 A.

The detailed description provides a preferred exemplary embodiment only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention. Rather, the detailed description of the preferred exemplary embodiment provides those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A two-part radio communications device comprising dedicated portable transceiver circuitry in a dedicated portable transceiver housing and a portable user interface circuitry in an user interface housing, wherein the portable transceiver circuitry includes: a primary radio frequency communications unit providing wireless communication with a telephone network, a secondary radio frequency communications unit, and a transceiver processor operatively coupled to the primary radio frequency communications unit and secondary radio frequency communications unit; and wherein the user interface circuitry includes: an interface radio frequency communications unit providing radio communication with the secondary radio frequency communications unit, a display screen, an alert signal generator, and an interface processor operatively coupled to the interface transceiver, display screen and alert signal generator,

Wherein, in use, when the primary radio frequency communications unit receives an mcorning telephone call, the secondary radio frequency communications unit effects communication with to the interface processor through the interface radio frequency communications unit.

2. A two-part radio communications device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alert signal generator provides an alert signal when the dedicated transceiver circuitry receives an mcorning telephone call.

3. A two-part radio communications device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dedicated telephone transceiver circuitry comprises only circuitry for enabling wireless communication between the portable user interface and a telephone network base station.

4. A two-part radio communications device as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is a keypad mounted to the user interface housing, the keypad being operatively coupled to the interface processor.

5. A two-part radio communications device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dedicated portable transceiver housing has a battery compartment for storing battery cells therein for providing power to the dedicated portable transceiver circuitry.

6. A two-part radio communications device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user interface housing has a battery compartment for storing battery cells therein for providing power to the dedicated portable transceiver circuitry,

7. A two-part radio communications device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dedicated portable telephone transceiver circuitry has a primary modulator/demodulator associated with the primary radio frequency communications unit; and secondary modulator/demodulator associated with the secondary radio frequency communications unit.

8. A two-part radio communications device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user interface circuitry has an interface modulator/demodulator associated with the interface radio frequency communications unit.

9. A two-part radio communications device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dedicated portable transceiver housing and a portable user interface housing are releasably mountable to each other.

10. . A battery powered portable user interface circuitry in an user interface housing, the portable user interface circuitry providing radio communication with a secondary radio frequency communications unit of a battery powered dedicated telephone transceiver, the user interface circuitry including: a display screen, an alert signal generator, and an interface processor operatively coupled to the interface radio frequency communications unit, display screen and alert signal generator, wherein, in use, when the dedicated telephone transceiver receives an incoming telephone call, the secondary radio frequency communications unit effects communication with to the interface processor through the interface radio frequency communications unit.