(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0137505 A1
`Eiche et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Sep. 26, 2002
`
`US 20020137505A1
`
`(54) AUDIO DETECTION FOR HANDS-FREE
`WIRELESS
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`
`.......................................... .. 455/425; 455/550
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Steven A. Eiche, Arvada, CO (US);
`Daniel Serafin JR., Erie, CO (US);
`Ralph C. Poplawsky, Littleton, CO
`(US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`SHERIDAN ROSS PC
`1560 BROADWAY
`SUITE 1200
`
`DENVER, CO 80202
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`09/866,420
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`May 24, 2001
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/507,175,
`filed on Feb. 18, 2000, now Pat. No. 6,377,825.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.7 ........................... .. H04Q 7/20; H04M 1/00;
`H04B 1/38
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Wireless communications relative to a vehicle using a wire-
`less communications device, a pocket for holding the wire-
`less communication device and a docking station in com-
`munication with the pocket are provided. The pocket can
`include a processor for translating communications between
`the wireless communications device and the docking station.
`A subsystem for detecting selected audible signals and
`muting other audible signals may be provided as part of the
`pocket. The docking station has processing capability and
`can communicate with different pockets and thereby differ-
`ent wireless communications devices.
`In at
`least one
`
`embodiment, the docking station manages voice recognition
`and text-to-speech commands to facilitate hands-free com-
`munications in the vehicle. The docking station can function
`as a communications hub involving a number of vehicle
`subsystems. In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle sub-
`systems are separately addressable using the docking station
`and/or other processing hardware/software. However,
`in
`communicating over the Internet, a vehicle IP address is
`utilized.
`
`
`
`
`Receive signal from telephone?
`
`YES
`
`1432
`
`Analyze frequency of signal
`
`Deassert
`mute
`
`signal
`
` N0
`
`Call in progress signal from
`telephone?
`|— — — _ _ _ _ _ _ __
`
`1424 I
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 1
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 1
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 26, 2002 Sheet 1 of 16
`
`US 2002/0137505 A1
`
`9'»7‘
`
`Fig.1A
`
`126
`
`100
`
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`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 2
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 2
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 26, 2002 Sheet 2 of 16
`
`US 2002/0137505 A1
`
`104b
`
`142d
`
`142b
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 3
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 3
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 26, 2002 Sheet 3 of 16
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`US 2002/0137505 A1
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`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 4
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 4
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`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 5
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`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 5
`
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 6
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`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 6
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`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 7
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Sep. 26, 2002 Sheet 7 of 16
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`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 8
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`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 10
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`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 26, 2002 Sheet 10 of 16
`
`US 2002/0137505 A1
`
`POCKET
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`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 11
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 11
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Sep. 26, 2002 Sheet 12 of 16
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`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 13
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`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 13
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Sep. 26, 2002 Sheet 13 of 16
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`US 2002/0137505 A1
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`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 15
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 15
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 26, 2002 Sheet 15 of 16
`
`US 2002/0137505 A1
`
` Receive signal from telephone?
`
`YES
`
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`
`Call in progress signal from
`telephone?
`
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`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 16
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 16
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 26, 2002 Sheet 16 of 16
`
`US 2002/0137505 A1
`
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`
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`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 17
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 17
`
`

`
`US 2002/0137505 A1
`
`Sep. 26, 2002
`
`AUDIO DETECTION FOR HANDS-FREE
`WIRELESS
`
`[0001] The present application is a continuation in part of,
`and claims priority in, U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`09/507,175 filed Feb. 18, 2000,
`the entire disclosure of
`which is incorporated by reference herein.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] The present invention relates to wireless commu-
`nications systems. In particular, the present invention relates
`to a method and apparatus for providing hands free com-
`munications in a vehicle through any communication device
`capable of wireless communications.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0003] Wireless telephones, including cellular telephones,
`have become increasingly popular as a means for persons to
`remain in telephone, data and messaging contact with others,
`even when away from their home or office. In particular,
`wireless telephones allow persons traveling in vehicles to
`place and receive telephone calls, data and messages even
`while moving at high rates of speed. As wireless telephone
`technology has advanced, the telephones themselves have
`become smaller and smaller and more feature rich.
`In
`
`addition, and in particular with the implementation of vari-
`ous digital technologies, the stand-by and talk times pro-
`vided by battery operated telephones have increased. The
`decrease in telephone size, the increase in features and the
`improvements in the battery life of wireless telephones have
`made the battery-operated wireless telephone an increas-
`ingly common communication device.
`
`[0004] However, the small size and battery operated con-
`figuration of many wireless telephones can be disadvanta-
`geous when such telephones are used in automobiles. In
`particular,
`the small size of such telephones can make
`dialing and other operations difficult. In addition, even with
`advanced battery compositions and power-saving strategies,
`the batteries of wireless telephones eventually need to be
`recharged. Finally, the configuration of most wireless tele-
`phones requires that they be held to the face of the user in
`order to use the speaker and microphone that are integral to
`the telephone.
`
`In order to address some of the disadvantages
`[0005]
`associated with the use of portable wireless telephones in
`vehicles, various “car kits” are known. At a most basic level,
`these car kits provide an interconnection between the tele-
`phone and the electrical system of the vehicle. These simple
`systems therefore allow the telephone to be powered by the
`electrical system of the car, and also to charge the tele-
`phone’s battery. Other “car kits” provide a cradle fixed to the
`interior of the vehicle for holding the telephone, and require
`that the telephone be lifted from the cradle for use. Other
`simple “car kits” combine the interconnection to the vehi-
`cle’s electrical system and the cradle for holding the tele-
`phone in a single device. However,
`these basic systems
`require that the user of the telephone remove at least one
`hand from the vehicle’s controls in order to operate the
`telephone, and that the user hold the telephone to his or her
`face during calls.
`
`level, some conventional “car kits”
`[0006] At a next
`provide basic speaker phone functions. These systems pro-
`
`vide a microphone and speaker, external to the telephone,
`and adapted for use at a distance from the user. Therefore,
`with such a system, a telephone call could be conducted
`without requiring that the telephone be held to the face of the
`user. In order to provide a speaker phone capability, the
`device must generally interface with proprietary electrical
`contacts provided on the exterior of the telephone. Gener-
`ally, telephone manufacturers provide electrical contacts for
`supplying power and for the input and output of audio
`signals on the exterior of the telephone. Additionally, vari-
`ous contacts for access to and the provision of telephone
`control signals may also be provided. Through these con-
`tacts,
`it
`is possible to control various functions of the
`telephone.
`
`In connection with a speaker phone capability, it is
`[0007]
`desirable to mute or disable other audio sources in the
`
`vehicle when a call is in progress. For instance, it is desirable
`to mute the stereo system of the vehicle when an incoming
`call
`is placed or received. However, not all
`telephones
`provide a dedicated signal at an electrical contact to indicate
`that a call is being received by the telephone, or that the user
`is placing a call. Therefore, conventional systems have been
`unable to detect that a call has been placed or received when
`used in connection with such telephones, and have been
`unable to automatically mute or disable other audio sources
`in the vehicle. In addition, even in connection with tele-
`phones that do provide an indication that a call has been
`placed or completed, such telephones generally do not
`provide a signal to indicate that a call is being initiated.
`Therefore, conventional systems are unable to provide a
`mute function during placement or prior to completion of a
`call. Furthermore, conventional systems used in connection
`with telephones that do not provide an indication of an
`in-call status until after acknowledgment has been received
`from a base station may not be able to mute the vehicle
`entertainment system until after an audible ring has already
`occurred. This may be confusing for a user, as usually at
`least one ring is expected before a call is answered.
`
`[0008] Adaptors for physically securing the telephone to
`the interior of the automobile, and for electrically intercon-
`necting the telephone to the automobile and to processors for
`providing desired functionalities can be expensive. In par-
`ticular, the cost of providing a hands-free control system in
`a vehicle to accommodate a number of different wireless
`
`telephones can be cost prohibitive because the physical and
`electrical characteristics of telephones vary by manufacturer
`and by model.
`
`[0009] For the above-stated reasons, it would be advanta-
`geous to provide an improved method and apparatus for
`providing a hands-free wireless communications device in a
`vehicle. In addition, it would be advantageous to provide a
`method and apparatus that allows for a single docking
`station containing many of the components necessary to
`provide the desired functions that can be used with any of a
`plurality of pocket devices provided for interfacing with
`supported telephones. Furthermore, it would be advanta-
`geous to provide a method and apparatus for detecting that
`a telephone is in use, even in connection with telephones that
`do not provide an electrical signal to indicate an in-call
`status. In addition, it would be advantageous to provide such
`a method and apparatus that can be implemented at an
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 18
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 18
`
`

`
`US 2002/0137505 A1
`
`Sep. 26, 2002
`
`acceptable cost, that allows the user to easily and economi-
`cally expand the provided functions, and that is reliable in
`operation.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In accordance with the present invention, a system
`[0010]
`for providing hands-free wireless communications is pro-
`vided. The disclosed system generally includes a docking
`station, a pocket or cradle and a wireless communications
`device. In general,
`the pocket
`is adapted to interface a
`particular wireless communications device or family of
`devices to a common docking station that may be functional
`with different pocket designs. The pocket and the docking
`station interact with the wireless communication device to
`
`economically provide for the hands-free operation of the
`wireless communication device.
`
`[0011] Apocket in accordance with the present invention
`is adapted to be mechanically and electrically interconnected
`to a particular communications device or set of devices.
`Mechanical features of the pocket include surface features to
`allow the communications device to be held by the pocket
`and electrical connectors for mating with various electrical
`connectors provided with the communications device. Pro-
`visions for the electrical interconnection of the pocket and
`the communications device include,
`in addition to the
`above-mentioned electrical contacts, signal lines and pro-
`cessing capabilities. Accordingly, the pocket may provide
`for the passage of, e.g., radio frequency signals and digital
`data signals through the pocket without processing by the
`pocket. In addition, the pocket may include a processor for
`converting telephone control and other signals between the
`proprietary interface of the communications device and the
`application programming interface (API) of the system,
`allowing the pocket to pass telephone control and other
`information between the pocket processor and the docking
`station using a pocket-docking station communications bus.
`Because the physical and electrical characteristics of com-
`munications devices such as wireless telephones varies, a
`pocket may be provided for each unique combination of
`physical and electrical characteristics found among sup-
`ported communications devices.
`
`[0012] The pocket is also adapted for mechanical and
`electrical
`interconnection to the docking station. The
`mechanical interconnection may include the provision of a
`common mounting system for joining the pocket and dock-
`ing station together, including electrical contacts, or simply
`electrical contacts where the docking station is remotely
`located from the pocket. Electrical interconnections between
`the pocket and the docking station may also be according to
`a common standard, and may include signal paths for
`various signals. At least some of the signals present between
`the pocket and the docking station may be formatted accord-
`ing to the above-mentioned API. According to an embodi-
`ment of the present invention, the docking station may be
`interconnected to any of a plurality of pockets.
`
`[0013] The docking station contain a digital signal pro-
`cessor, Power PC, RISC or other processor for sending and
`receiving commands transmitted over the pocket-docking
`station communications bus, and for controlling other func-
`tions. For instance, the digital signal processor of the dock-
`ing station may perform various signal processing functions
`to remove noise, as well as acoustic echos and line echos,
`
`from audio signals passed between the telephone and a
`speaker, as well as from a microphone to facilitate hands-
`free communications. The digital signal processor may also
`serve to interpret voice commands issued by a user con-
`cerning control of the system. Other potential functions of
`the docking station digital signal processor include wireless
`data processing or forwarding, the storage of voice memo-
`randa,
`text
`to speech functions, and for interfacing the
`system to other communication devices, such as personal
`information managers (PIMs), GPS receivers, vehicle com-
`munications busses, Bluetooth devices, and other devices. In
`accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
`multiple processors, each adapted to perform particular
`tasks, may be provided as part of the docking station.
`
`[0014] According to one embodiment of the present inven-
`tion,
`the pocket in part controls access by a user to the
`functional capabilities of the system. Accordingly, a pocket
`may interconnect a communications device to a docking
`station in such a way that power may be supplied to the
`device, and audio communications passed to and from that
`device. However, the pocket may not allow for the recording
`of voice memoranda, even though the docking station may
`contain the processing, control and storage components
`necessary to provide that functionality. Asecond pocket may
`enable the user to access the voice memorandum recording
`capability of the docking station. Yet another, third pocket
`may additionally provide for the storage of voice memo-
`randa in the pocket itself. Accordingly, this third pocket may
`allow a user to easily take recorded memoranda to, e.g., a
`docking station type device located in the user’s home or
`office for playback of the memoranda. Still another pocket,
`used in combination with a suitable docking station, may
`enable a text to speech functionality. In this way, the system
`of the present invention allows a single model of docking
`station to optionally support a wide variety of communica-
`tions devices and to provide a wide variety of functions.
`Therefore, the communications devices supported and the
`functional capabilities of the system can, at least in part, be
`determined by the pocket used as part of the system.
`
`[0015] According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, the system can detect when a telephone is in use,
`even before a call
`is placed or before a call has been
`established. According to this embodiment of the present
`invention, a signal received from the telephone is processed
`and analyzed. If it is determined that the signal contains an
`audible frequency, an in-call mode is entered. The in-call
`mode may be maintained so long as audible frequencies
`continue to be detected. If the telephone provides an indi-
`cation that it has entered an in-call status, the call mode of
`the system may be maintained for so long as the telephone
`remains in an in-call status. As part of the in-call mode, the
`system may issue a mute or control signal to mute or disable
`inputs to the vehicle entertainment system. In one embodi-
`ment, the vehicle entertainment system is muted while the
`system is in the in-call mode, and the audible frequency
`signal received from the telephone is provided to the vehicle
`entertainment system to be output by the vehicle speakers.
`This feature of the present invention may be implemented
`using hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and
`software.
`
`[0016] According to still another embodiment of the
`present invention, the system may be used in connection
`with telephones that do provide an indication of an in-call
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 19
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 19
`
`

`
`US 2002/0137505 A1
`
`Sep. 26, 2002
`
`status after a call has been placed or after a call has been
`established. According to such an embodiment, the system
`may detect signals containing audible frequencies produced
`in the vehicle after the in-call mode has otherwise been
`
`entered. The detection of signals containing audible frequen-
`cies may be used to maintain an in-call mode even for those
`telephones that do not provide an indication that the tele-
`phone is in an in-call status after a call has been placed or
`answered by the user of the system.
`
`[0017] The system of the present invention allows a user
`to change, for example, his or her wireless telephone, while
`continuing to use the system, even where the physical and
`electrical characteristics of the new wireless telephone are
`different from the old, by purchasing a new pocket, while
`continuing to use the original docking station. In general, a
`user may gain access to additional capabilities by substitut-
`ing a pocket enabling or providing a first set of capabilities
`for a pocket that enables or provides those additional capa-
`bilities. In this way, the system of the present invention
`enables a user to change his or her communications device
`without having to replace the docking station, and to
`upgrade the capabilities of the system by obtaining a pocket
`having the desired additional capabilities.
`
`[0018] According to another embodiment of the system of
`the present invention, various models of docking stations
`may be available, allowing a user to determine the capabili-
`ties of the system at least in part by the docking station
`chosen. Accordingly certain interface modules may have
`less capabilities and be offered at a lower price than certain
`other interface modules that are more recent or that are more
`
`expensive but that offer expanded capabilities. Different
`models of docking stations may also be offered to provide or
`support new features. The various models of interface mod-
`ules are preferably compatible, at least in part, with any
`pocket.
`
`[0019] According to one embodiment of the system of the
`present invention, the system can provide a text to speech
`function to, for example, provide an audio output of textual
`data received by the communications device. This capability
`may be built into the docking station, or may be added to the
`docking station by the addition of a daughter board contain-
`ing additional componentry to support the text to speech
`function.
`
`[0020] The system is also capable of handling communi-
`cations involving separately identifiable vehicle subsystems
`using processing or server functionalities of the docking
`station and/or associated daughter board. The vehicle having
`the vehicle subsystems has a unique IP address to allow
`communications over the Internet. In communications with
`
`the vehicle IP address is utilized
`the vehicle subsystem,
`outside the vehicle while, inside the vehicle, the communi-
`cation can be mapped to, or otherwise associated with, the
`particular vehicle subsystem involved with the communica-
`tion.
`
`[0021] Additional advantages of the present invention will
`become readily apparent from the following discussion,
`particularly when taken together with the accompanying
`drawings.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0022] FIG. 1A illustrates a system for providing wireless
`communications in a vehicle according to an embodiment of
`the present invention;
`
`[0023] FIG. 1B illustrates a pocket according to another
`embodiment of the present invention;
`
`[0024] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a pocket
`according to an embodiment of the present invention;
`
`[0025] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a system for
`providing wireless communications in a vehicle according to
`an embodiment of the present invention;
`
`[0026] FIG. 4A is a schematic representation of a system
`for providing wireless communications in a vehicle accord-
`ing to an embodiment of the present invention;
`
`[0027] FIG. 4B is a schematic representation of a system
`for providing wireless communications in a vehicle accord-
`ing to another embodiment of the present invention;
`
`[0028] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a pocket
`according to an embodiment of the present invention;
`
`compatibilities
`functional
`illustrates
`6
`[0029] FIG.
`between components of a system for providing wireless
`communications in a vehicle according to an embodiment of
`the present invention;
`
`[0030] FIG. 7 illustrates the pocket communications state
`machine according to an embodiment of the present inven-
`tion;
`
`[0031] FIG. 8 illustrates the architecture of the docking
`station software according to an embodiment of the present
`invention;
`
`[0032] FIG. 9 illustrates a typical communications sce-
`nario according to an embodiment of the present invention;
`
`[0033] FIG. 10 illustrates a pocket worst case communi-
`cations scenario;
`
`[0034] FIG. 11 illustrates a docking station worst case
`communications scenario.
`
`[0035] FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram illustrating
`a subsystem for detecting an in-call status according to an
`embodiment of the present invention;
`
`[0036] FIG. 13 is a diagram depicting the components of
`a subsystem for detecting an in-call status according to an
`embodiment of the present invention;
`
`[0037] FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of
`a subsystem for detecting an in-call status according to an
`embodiment of the present invention; and
`
`[0038] FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of
`a subsystem for detecting an in-call status according to
`another embodiment of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0039] With reference to FIG. 1A, an embodiment of a
`system 100 for providing wireless communications in a
`vehicle is depicted. The system 100 generally includes any
`communications device capable of wireless communications
`(e.g., wireless telephone) 102, a first holding assembly or
`pocket 104, also referred to herein as adaptor or holding
`member 104, and a docking station or an interface module
`(IM) 106. For purposes of the present disclosure, the terms
`holding assembly, pocket, adaptor and holding member shall
`be treated as being synonymous or at least substantially
`functionally comparable. The telephone 102 may have, or be
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 20
`
`Petitioner Unified - Exhibit 1015- Page 20
`
`

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`US 2002/0137505 A1
`
`Sep. 26, 2002
`
`compatible or otherwise operatively associated with, any
`current or future wireless technology,
`including, but not
`limited to, analog technologies such as the Advanced Mobile
`Phone System (AMPS), or digital systems such as a code
`division multiple access (CDMA) system, a time division
`multiple access (TDMA) system such as the Global System
`for Mobile Communications (GSM), a third generation (3G)
`system, such as wide band CDMA (W-CDMA), multicarrier
`CDMA, Time Division Duplex CDMA, or 3G EDGE
`(Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution), or a combina-
`tion of these and other air link technologies, such as the
`Bluetooth standard. In addition, the telephone 102 can be a
`wireless communications device other than a wireless tele-
`
`phone, such as a satellite telephone, a radio, a software
`defined radio, a personal digital assistant, with or without
`wireless telephone capability or other service. In general, the
`telephone 102 is designed by its manufacturer to operate on
`batteries 107 and to be small in size to allow for easy
`portability. In addition, the telephone 102 generally features
`a built-in speaker 108 and microphone 110 to provide for the
`input and output respectively of audio signals when the
`telephone 102 is held to the head of the user.
`
`[0040] The telephone 102 includes a keypad 112 to allow
`the user to dial numbers and to access the internal capabili-
`ties of the telephone 102, such as stored directories of
`telephone numbers, voice mail, paging or other features that
`may be provided by the telephone 102. User-defined func-
`tions such as directories of the telephone numbers may be
`stored in internal memory provided in the telephone 102. In
`addition, a typical telephone 102 includes a visual display
`114 for displaying the number to be called or other infor-
`mation, such as the contents of a memory location or the
`number from which an incoming call originates. The tele-
`phone 102 will generally include baseband frequency ampli-
`fiers associated with the speaker 108 and the microphone
`110. The telephone 102 also includes a radio frequency
`section for transmitting and receiving signals at the tele-
`phone’s 102 operating frequencies. An electrical connector
`116 is generally provided to allow the telephone 102 to be
`electrically connected to external devices. For example, the
`telephone 102 may be connected to an external power
`supply through the electrical connector 116. In addition, the
`connector 116 generally includes contacts for the transmis-
`sion of control and data signals to the telephone 102. In some
`telephones 102, provision may also be made for the inter-
`connection of a coaxial radio frequency cable to a radio
`frequency port 118, allowing the telephone 102 to utilize an
`external antenna.
`
`[0041] The pocket 104 generally includes a recess 120
`shaped to receive the exterior of the telephone 102. The
`recess 120 may include surface features 122, such as friction
`pads or protrusions shaped to mate with receiving features
`on the telephone 102,
`to mechanically interconnect
`the
`telephone 102 and the pocket 104. The pocket 104 is also
`provided with an electrical connector 124 that mates with
`the electrical connector 116 of the telephone 102 when the
`telephone 102 is properly positioned within the recess 120 of
`the pocket 104. The pocket 104 may also be provided with
`a coaxial connector 126 for interconnection with a coaxial
`
`connector 118 on the telephone 102. Therefore, the pocket
`104 is electrically connected to the telephone 102 through
`the electrical connections 116 and 124 and the coaxial
`
`connectors 118 and 126. The pocket 104 may also be
`provided with componentry necessary to establish a wireless
`link with the telephone 102.
`
`[0042] The docking station 106 includes locating protu-
`berances 128 for receiving locating apertures 130 located on
`the back side of the pocket 104 (see FIG. 2). The locating
`protuberances 128, together with latch tabs 132 cooperate
`with the locating apertures 130 to mechanically interconnect
`the pocket 104 to the docking station 106. The docking
`station 106 also features an electrical connector 134 that
`mates with an electrical connector 136 located on the back
`
`of the pocket 104 (see FIG. 2). The docking station 106
`additionally includes a coaxial connector 138 for connection
`to a cooperating coaxial connector 140 located on the back
`of the pocket 104 (see FIG. 2). The docking station 106 may
`also be provided with componentry to establish a wireless
`link with the telephone 102 or the pocket 104.
`
`In the system of the present invention, the tele-
`[0043]
`phone 102 generally serves to transmit and receive radio
`frequency signals, and to demodulate and modulate those
`signals to and from the baseband frequencies (e.g.,
`the
`audible frequencies or digital data communication frequen-
`cies). The telephone 102 then provides the baseband fre-
`quencies to the pocket 104 through the mating of the
`electrical connectors 116 and 124. Alternatively, the t