`
`MINIATURE COMMUNICATION DEVICE
`
`This
`
`invention relates to the field of mobile telephone
`
`accessories. More
`
`in particular,
`
`the invention relates to an
`
`intended
`accessory in the form of a miniature communication device,
`
`for the implementation of short-range mobile telephone features.
`
`Along with the development of mobile phones, many accessories
`
`have been developed.
`
`For
`
`example,
`
`these accessories make
`
`it
`
`possible for a user to make telephone calls without having to hold
`
`
`
`the telephone in one hand to bring it to his ear. This feature is
`
`10
`
`particularly advantageous when the user is driving a vehicle, but
`
`it is also useful
`
`in any situation,
`
`since it frees the user's
`
`hands, even during a telephone conversation.
`
` In particular,
`
`among these devices, mention may be made of
`
`
`
`accessories called “headsets”, which are connected to the mobile
`
`15
`
`telephone by a wired or wireless
`
`connection using Bluetooth
`
`technology, for example.
`
`These headsets have a loudspeaker, allowing the user to listen
`
`to a caller's words. The
`
`system is usually supplemented by a
`
`microphone to transmit
`
`the user's words. This microphone may be
`
`20
`
`integrated into the headset or detached. Furthermore,
`
`the headsets
`
`include various means that make it possible to implement certain
`
`features of the telephone, such as picking up and hanging up on an
`
`incoming call, or even the initialization of an outgoing call. For
`
`example,
`
`initialization of a call
`
`is carried out by pronouncing
`
`25
`
`the name of a caller, and in this case the telephone is provided
`
`with a means of voice recognition.
`
` In a more
`
`advanced version,
`
`some of
`
`these headsets are
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1004
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1004
`
`
`
`2
`
`provided with a small screen allowing the user to have information
`
`about a caller before choosing whether to answer the call or not.
`
`However,
`
`even provided with all of
`
`the features described
`
`above,
`
`these headsets have various drawbacks,
`
`in particular in
`
`terms of the ergonomics of use.
`
` Indeed,
`
`these headsets must be simultaneously used with the
`
`telephone, since the user must call on his/her telephone to perform
`
`an action, even when he/she has an headset.
`
`Furthermore, due to their size,
`
`it is not easy to quickly
`
`10
`
`find this type of headset during an incoming call,
`
`for example,
`
`within a bag, and it is therefore easier to permanently keep the
`
`headset
`
`in the ear. However, wearing the headset permanently can
`
`put off some people, whether for reasons of comfort or aesthetics.
`
` In addition, it has been found that the number of telephone
`
`15
`
`features used regularly,
`
`for example several
`
`times
`
`a day,
`
`is
`
`relatively small compared to the total number of features offered.
`
`Among the most common features are: receiving or sending telephone
`
`calls, sending short text messages, or consulting a directory.
`
`The invention therefore starts from the observation that it
`
`20
`
`would be useful to have a device that makes it possible to implement
`
`only the features that are useful on a daily basis. Such a device
`
`would allow a user to leave his/her telephone in his/her bag or
`
`pocket, protected from impact and thefts, but without
`
`impairing
`
`the necessary features of this telephone.
`
`25
`
`Thus,
`
`the invention relates to a miniature communication
`
`device,
`
`intended for
`
`the implementation of short-range mobile
`
`telephone features for a user. The device first comprises a means
`
`2
`
`
`
`3
`
`for radio data exchange to exchange data with the mobile telephone,
`
`as well as a speaker and at
`
`least one microphone that makes it
`
`possible for the user to send and receive sound signals.
`
`This miniature communication device is characterized in that
`
`it comprises a primary module, a detachable headset
`
`in which the
`
`first means of data exchange are installed,
`
`the speaker and a
`
`microphone,
`
`and a second means, electrical,
`
`for exchanging data
`
`and/or electrical
`
`load between
`
`the primary module
`
`and
`
`the
`
`detachable headset.
`
`10
`
`The detachable headset being designed to be detached by
`
`nature,
`
`and then repositioned frequently on the primary module,
`
`makes it necessary for the second electrical means to be resistant
`
`to numerous connections/disconnections.
`
`To
`
`this
`
`end,
`
`in one
`
`embodiment,
`
`the
`
`second means
`
`for
`
`15
`
`electrical
`
`data
`
`exchange
`
`comprise
`
`blade
`
`contactors.
`
`These
`
`contactors are in the form of a first set of metal blades installed
`
`on one of the elements,
`
`for example the headset, which, when in
`
`contact with a second set of metal blades,
`
`installed for example
`
`on the primary module, make the exchange of the electrical load or
`
`20
`
`data possible. These contactors are created in such a way that
`
`they withstand frequent contact.
`
`However,
`
`in order for the contact to take place correctly, it
`
`is useful for the headset to be held in position in a sufficiently
`
`effective way. To
`
`this end,
`
`in one embodiment,
`
`the detachable
`
`25
`
`headset
`
`comprises
`
`a means
`
`of
`
`attachment
`
`that works with a
`
`complementary means built into the primary module. These means of
`
`attachment are, on the one hand,
`
`such that
`
`they make attachment
`
`3
`
`
`
`4
`
`and detachment easy for the communication device user and on the
`
`other hand,
`
`they are powerful
`
`enough
`
`to make
`
`an effective
`
`attachment possible,
`
`thus avoiding a detachment that is so easy it
`
`could easily be removed by a person with malicious intentions, or
`
`an untimely detachment that would lead to loss of the headset.
`
` In one variant,
`
`the means of attachment comprise at least one
`
`magnet, and in this case the additional means comprise at
`
`least
`
`one element made of ferromagnetic material.
`
`The characteristics of the magnet will be chosen in such a
`
`10
`
`way that they allow a sufficiently powerful attachment so that the
`
`headset does not come off on its own during movement of the primary
`
`module, while allowing easy separation of the two elements by a
`
`user.
`
`
`In one variant,
`
`the means of attachment may take the form of
`
`two small magnets located at both ends of the headset.
`
`15
`
` In
`
`one
`
`embodiment,
`
`the
`
`first means
`
`of data
`
`exchange
`
`implemented
`
`the wireless
`
`communication
`
`technology
`
`of
`
`the
`
`“BlueTooth” type.
`
`BlueTooth technology is a short-range communication protocol.
`
`Thus,
`
`the miniature device can communicate with a telephone located
`
`20
`
`in a near environment,
`
`typically at a distance on the order of ten
`
`meters.
`
`Thus,
`
`the miniature device may,
`
`for example, be hung on the
`
`outside of a bag, and communicate with the telephone which remains,
`
`most of the time,
`
`inside the bag.
`
`25
`
`Due to the reduced features of the miniature device, size and
`
`weight are reduced, and the device can thus be easily hung on a
`
`bag, clipped to a shoulder strap, or to any other object.
`
`4
`
`
`
`5
`
`The detachable headset offers several possibilities for the
`
`user
`
`of
`
`the miniature
`
`device.
`
`Thus,
`
`during
`
`a
`
`telephone
`
`conversation,
`
`the user may choose to bring the entire miniature
`
`device to his ear, or
`
`to detach the headset
`
`from the primary
`
`module, and put it on his/her ear.
`
` In another embodiment, the miniature device comprises an audio
`
`output, for example a jack-type socket, allowing the connection of
`
`a conventional wired headset.
`
`The first means of data exchange are, as mentioned above,
`
`10
`
`installed in the detachable headset. Thus, when the headset is not
`
`in contact with the primary module, it communicates directly with
`
`the mobile telephone without going through the primary module,
`
`since the latter no longer contains,
`
`in this case, means
`
`for
`
`exchanging data with the telephone.
`
`15
`
`On the other hand, when the headset
`
`is in contact with the
`
`primary module,
`
`the second electrical data exchange means allow
`
`communication between the primary module and the mobile telephone,
`
`via the headset.
`
` In order to limit the use of the mobile telephone itself as
`
`20
`
`much as possible, it is useful for the miniature device to be able
`
`to allow implementation of a maximum of features, however, without
`
`exceeding a certain size.
`
`Thus,
`
`in one
`
`embodiment,
`
`the device
`
`comprises
`
`a
`
`screen
`
`allowing the display of data supplied by the mobile telephone,
`
`25
`
`and/or a keyboard allowing data entry by the user.
`
`
`In certain
`
`variants,
`
`this screen is tactile.
`
`Preferably,
`
`the keyboard will be reduced to a small number of
`
`5
`
`
`
`keys,
`
`for example,
`
`less than 5.
`
`For example,
`
`the combination of
`
`the screen and the keypad
`
`enables a user to navigate the directory stored in a memory of the
`
`
`telephone and/or in a SIM card installed in the telephone.
`
`
`In this
`
`case,
`
`the keyboard may have only navigation keys,
`
`for example in
`
`the form of the ends of a cross, and a validation key, for example,
`
`in the center of the cross.
`
` In another variant,
`
`the communication device comprises
`
`a
`
`second microphone installed in the primary module.
`
`10
`
` In certain variants,
`
`the
`
`communication device
`
`comprises
`
`software means making it possible to start a telephone call with
`
`a person whose number
`
`is not stored in the directory of
`
`the
`
`
`telephone and/or on the SIM card of the telephone. This telephone
`
`number is,
`
`for example, entered by the user by means of a keypad
`
`15
`
`located on the communication device.
`
`As explained previously,
`
`the user may choose,
`
`in certain
`
`situations,
`
`to detach the headset and place it on his/her ear for
`
`a telephone call. Accordingly,
`
`it is useful
`
`for this headset
`
`to
`
`not be too bulky or too heavy.
`
`
`In an electronic device,
`
`the weight
`
`20
`
`is in large part due to the power supply, especially in the form
`
`of a battery.
`
`To avoid this,
`
`in one embodiment,
`
`the miniature device is
`
`such that it comprises a main power storage device installed in
`
`the primary module, and a secondary power storage device installed
`
`25
`
`in the detachable headset. Furthermore,
`
`the device comprises means
`
`for transmitting power
`
`from the primary device to the secondary
`
`device when the detachable headset is in contact with the primary
`
`6
`
`
`
`module.
`
`Thus,
`
`the headset recharges automatically as soon as it is
`
`attached to the support. Generally, one of the major problems with
`
`rechargeable electronic devices
`
`is that users often forget
`
`to
`
`recharge, which results in the devices shutting down unexpectedly.
`
`This is not the case here since the first data means, for example,
`
`
`
`the BlueTooth
`
`transmitter/receiver,
`
`are
`
`installed
`
`in
`
`the
`
`detachable headset, and the user is inclined to reposition this
`
`headset on the primary module each time a conversation ends.
`
`10
`
`Since the primary module does not have a means
`
`for data
`
`exchange with the mobile telephone,
`
`it may be useful,
`
`in one
`
`embodiment,
`
`for it to be able to save certain data locally,
`
`in
`
`order to be able to access this data even if it cannot communicate
`
`
`with the mobile telephone, either because the headset is detached,
`
`15
`
`or because the first means of data exchange are inoperative.
`
`To
`
`this end,
`
`in one embodiment,
`
`the communication device
`
`comprises data storage means installed in the primary module. At
`
`least part of the data stored in these storage means are received
`
`from the mobile telephone via the first means of data exchange,
`
`20
`
`and they are transmitted to the storage means via the second means
`
`of data exchange, when the detachable module is in contact with
`
`the primary module.
`
`Thus,
`
`for example,
`
`the communication device records,
`
`in a
`
`local memory,
`
`the data entered by the user on the mobile telephone,
`
`25
`
`and is transmitted to the communication device by a Bluetooth type
`
`
`
`link when the detachable headset
`
`is installed on the primary
`
`module.
`
`7
`
`
`
`8
`
`Such a device finds advantageous applications in the field of
`
`sports.
`
`
`In fact,
`
`in some situations within the category of sports
`
`called "extreme",
`
`such as winter sports, water sports or others,
`
`it is inconvenient, or even dangerous,
`
`to pick up a telephone to
`
`answer a call. Moreover,
`
`the risk of dropping the telephone or
`
`subjecting it to impact are relatively high. Thus,
`
`a miniature
`
`device such as that described here may advantageously be installed
`
`in sports clothing, for example in the sleeve of a jacket.
`
` In addition, it has been observed that people practicing this
`
`10
`
`kind of sport often need information relating to their position,
`
`weather
`
`forecasts, or other parameters. Many
`
`telephones offer
`
`features that allow access to this type of information, either by
`
`downloading them from external
`
`servers,
`
`or
`
`by collecting it
`
`themselves,
`
`through sensors.
`
`15
`
` It may therefore be interesting for an athlete to easily be
`
`able to access this information. To this end,
`
`in one embodiment,
`
`the primary module comprises means allowing the implementation of
`
`additional features included in the group comprising:
`
`the features
`
`of an anemometer,
`
`thermometer,
`
`rain gauge, distance measurement,
`
`20
`
`a laser pointer.
`
` In one or more additional variants,
`
`the primary module
`
`comprises one or more features included in the group comprising:
`
`the
`
`features
`
`of
`
`a
`
`barometer,
`
`altimeter,
`
`inclinometer,
`
`accelerometer, or satellite geolocation;
`
`a light of the electro-
`
`25
`
`luminescent diode lamp type, a means for reading and radiofrequency
`
`
`marking, of the RFID or NFC type, a feature for neutralizing the
`
`accessory in the event of theft and an emergency call feature.
`
`8
`
`
`
`All of these characteristics may be implemented alone or in
`
`9
`
`combination.
`
`Similarly,
`
`such a device may advantageously be used during
`
`travel. Therefore,
`
`in certain embodiments,
`
`it is useful
`
`for the
`
`communication device to include means
`
`for
`
`implementing a clock
`
`feature, with a choice of multiple time zones.
`
`Other characteristics and advantages of
`
`the invention will
`
`become apparent with the description of some of these embodiments,
`
`this being given as a non-restrictive description and by using the
`
`10
`
`figures in which:
`
`-
`
`Figures la and 1b show the use of a device according to
`
`the invention,
`
`-
`
`Figure 2 shows an example of a device according to the
`
`invention,
`
`15
`
`-
`
`Figure 3 shows another example of a device according to
`
`the invention,
`
`in which the headset and the primary module are
`
`separated.
`
`A user 10 is shown provided with a mobile telephone 14 stored
`
`in his/her bag 12 in Figures la and 1b. The user is also provided
`
`20
`
`with a miniature communication device 16 composed of a primary
`
`module 18 and a detachable headset 20.
`
` In the example shown here,
`
`the miniature device 16 is hung on
`
`the outside of the bag,
`
`for example using a keychain type device.
`
`This example is not
`
`the only possible embodiment
`
`for
`
`the
`
`25
`
`implementation of such a miniature device.
`
`
`In fact, as a variant,
`
`it is possible to choose to integrate the miniature device directly
`
`inside a bag, or in another accessory such as sunglasses or a hat,
`
`9
`
`
`
`or in any item of clothing as well.
`
`10
`
`The
`
`following
`
`characteristics will
`
`be
`
`described with
`
`reference to Figures 2 and 3 as well.
`
`The miniature device
`
`16
`
`telephone 14 using the radio means built
`
`exchanges data with the mobile
`
`into the detachable
`
`headset 20. These means will be described in more detail using the
`
`other figures.
`
`When the user 10 receives a call or when he/she wishes to
`
`start one, he/she may choose to use the headset 20 by detaching it
`
`10
`
`from its support 18, as shown in Figure 1b.
`
`
`Indeed,
`
`the headset
`
`comprises a speaker 27 and a microphone 26 allowing the exchange
`
`of
`
`sound signals between the headset
`
`and the user.
`
`
`In some
`
`embodiments, it is also provided with means allowing it to be held
`
`in position on the user's ear.
`
`15
`
` In another configuration,
`
`the user may choose to wear
`
`the
`
`entire device 16 on his/her ear.
`
`
`In this event, it is useful,
`
`in
`
`some embodiments, for the device 16 to include a second microphone
`
`25, installed in the primary module 18, and designed to substitute
`
`
`
`for the microphone 26 built into the detachable headset 20.
`
`20
`
`For
`
`example,
`
`in order
`
`to manage
`
`the use of
`
`these two
`
`microphones,
`
`the miniature device comprises, means to detect
`
`the
`
`presence of the detachable headset 20 on the primary module 18.
`
`
`In
`
`terms of the presence or absence of the headset,
`
`these means thus
`
`make it possible, depending on the operating mode of the miniature
`
`25
`
`device,
`
`to activate either of the microphones 25 and 26.
`
`Thus,
`
`the miniature device may be in one of
`
`the following
`
`configurations:
`
`10
`
`10
`
`
`
`-
`
`telephone
`
`call
`
`in progress
`
`and headset
`
`detached:
`
`11
`
`microphone 25 off and microphone 26 on,
`
`-
`
`telephone call
`
`in progress and headset not detached:
`
`microphone 25 on and microphone 26 off, and
`
`-
`
`no
`
`telephone call
`
`in progress: neither of
`
`the two
`
`microphones is on.
`
`The miniature device comprises a screen 22 as well as a set
`
`of buttons 23. These two elements allow a user to activate the
`
`features of the mobile telephone through the miniature device, for
`
`10
`
`
`example to browse the directory saved in a memory or the SIM card
`
`of the telephone.
`
`Another embodiment of a communication device according to the
`
`invention is illustrated in Figure 3.
`
`
`In this figure,
`
`the primary
`
`module
`
`30
`
`and the detachable headset
`
`31
`
`are
`
`separated.
`
`The
`
`15
`
`detachable headset comprises a magnet 33a, allowing it to be held
`
`in position in the housing 34 of the primary module, due to the
`
`additional element 33b installed at
`
`the bottom of this housing.
`
`This additional
`
`element
`
`is,
`
`for
`
`example,
`
`a plate made of
`
`a
`
`ferromagnetic material, sensitive to the attraction of the magnet.
`
`20
`
`Furthermore,
`
`the detachable headset comprises a set of blade
`
`contactors 35a which, upon contact with the set of blade contactors
`
`35b installed in the housing 34,
`
`a connection is able to be
`
`
`established between the detachable headset
`
`31
`
`and the primary
`
`module 30,
`
`so that an exchange of data and/or the electrical load
`
`25
`
`may be take place.
`
` In this example,
`
`the headset
`
`is reduced to a minimum of
`
`features, since it only has one speaker 32. On the other hand,
`
`the
`
`11
`
`11
`
`
`
`primary module comprises several navigation buttons (36, 37) making
`
`access to and implementation of the various features of the device
`
`12
`
`possible.
`
`12
`
`12
`
`
`
`13
`
`CLAIMS
`
`1. Miniature communication device
`
`(16) designed for
`
`the
`
`implementation, at short-range, of features of a user's (10) mobile
`
`telephone (14),
`
`the device (16) comprises:
`
`-
`
`first radio data exchange means for exchanging data
`
`with the mobile telephone (14),
`
`-
`
`a speaker
`
`(27)
`
`and at
`
`least one microphone
`
`(26)
`
`enabling the user
`
`(10)
`
`to send and receive sound signals
`
`characterized in that it comprises:
`
`10
`
`-
`
`-
`
`a primary module (18),
`
`a detachable earphone (20)
`
`in which the first means
`
`of data exchange are installed,
`
`the speaker
`
`(27)
`
`and a
`
`microphone (26), and
`
`-
`
`a second electrical data exchange means and/or an
`
`15
`
`electrical load between the primary module and the detachable
`
`headset.
`
`2.
`
`Communication device according to Claim 1, characterized
`
`in that the second electrical data exchange means comprise blade
`
`contactors.
`
`20
`
`3.
`
`Communication
`
`device
`
`according
`
`to Claim 1
`
`or
`
`2,
`
`characterized in that the detachable headset comprises a means of
`
`
`
`attachment
`
`that works with a complementary means built
`
`into the
`
`primary module,
`
`so as to allow the headset to be held in position
`
`on the primary module.
`
`25
`
`4.
`
`Communication device according to Claim 3, characterized
`
`in that the means for attachment comprise at least one magnet, and
`
`the additional means
`
`comprise at
`
`least
`
`one
`
`element made of
`
`13
`
`13
`
`
`
`ferromagnetic material.
`
`14
`
`5.
`
`Communication device according to one of the preceding
`
`claims,
`
`the first means of data exchange implemented a wireless
`
`communication technology of the “BlueTooth” type.
`
`6.
`
`Communication device according to one of the preceding
`
`claims, comprising a screen allowing the display of data provided
`
`by the mobile telephone, and/or a keyboard allowing the user to
`
`enter data.
`
`7.
`
`Communication device according to one of the preceding
`
`10
`
`claims, comprising a second microphone installed in the primary
`
`module.
`
`8.
`
`Communication device according to one of the preceding
`
`claims, comprising a main power storage device installed in the
`
`primary module, and a secondary power storage device installed in
`
`
`
`15
`
`the detachable headset,
`
`the device being characterized in that it
`
`comprises means for transmitting power from the main device to the
`
`secondary device via
`
`the
`
`second electrical means when
`
`the
`
`detachable headset is in contact with the primary module.
`
`9.
`
`Communication device according to the preceding claim,
`
`20
`
`comprising means for data storage installed in the primary module,
`
`at least part of the data being received from the mobile telephone
`
`via the first means of data exchange,
`
`these data being transmitted
`
`to the storage means via the second means of data exchange, when
`
`the detachable module is in contact with the primary module.
`
`25
`
`10. Communication device according to one of the preceding
`
`claims, characterized in that
`
`the primary module comprises the
`
`means allowing implementation of features included within the group
`
`14
`
`14
`
`
`
`15
`
`comprising: the features of an anemometer,
`
`thermometer, rain gauge,
`
`distance measurement, a laser pointer,
`
`these characteristics being
`
`
`implemented when the detachable module is in contact with the
`
`primary module
`
`15
`
`15
`
`
`
`20
`
`16
`
`
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`Inre Patent of:|Walter G. Mayfield,et al.
`U.S. Patent No.:
`10,259,020
`Attorney Docket No.: 50095-0028IP1
`Issue Date:
`April 16, 2019
`Appl. Serial No.:
`15/851,952
`Filing Date:
`December22, 2017
`Title:
`APPARATUS FOR CLEANING VIEW SCREENS AND
`LENSES AND METHOD FOR THE USE THEREOF
`
`DECLARATION OF LAURA H. HASTINGS-BROWNSTEIN
`
`I, Laura H. Hastings-Brownstein, declare that:
`
`1.
`
`The attached translation from French into English of the French Patent
`
`Application Publication No. 2 912 858 to Bohbot, also attached, is, to the best of
`
`my knowledge,a true, full and accurate translation of the attached French
`
`document.
`
`2.
`
`I personally performedthis translation. I am competent to perform
`
`this translation, being fluent in both French and English, and having over 30 years
`
`of experience as a professional translator of French into English.
`
`I have been
`
`employedas a translator by many different companies and have performed
`
`freelance translations for many others, including French and English translations of
`
`legal materials (e.g., deposition transcripts, contracts), technical materials, and
`
`patents. I have the following degrees: BA in Languages of the Western World, BS
`
`in Chemistry and received a Master of Arts degree in Spanish from the
`
`Universidad Nacional Aut6noma of México, while studying there as a Fulbright
`
`17
`
`
`
`Scholar. I have taught English as a second language, Spanish and French, and
`
`translation courses
`
`3.
`
`I declare under the penalty of perjury under the laws of the United
`
`States that the foregoing is true and correct; and further declare that I am aware
`
`that willful false statements and the like so made are punishable by fine or
`
`imprisonment, or both, under 1001 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
`
`
`
`Dated:_January 6, 2021 By: _. Ae fy. S7
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Laura H. Hastings-Brownstein
`
`18
`
`