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`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 mobilo tolophono features.
`
`Along with the development of mobile phones, many accessories
`
`have been developed.
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`For
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`example,
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`these accessories make
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`it
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`possible for a user to make telephone calls without having to hold
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`the telephone in one hand to bring it to his ear. This feature is
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`particularly advantageous when the user is driving a vehicle, but
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`it is also useful
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`in any situation,
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`since it frees the user's
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`hands, even during a telephone conversation.
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` In particular,
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`among these devices, mention may be made of
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`accessories called “headsets”, which are connected to the mobile
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`
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`telephone by a wired. or wireless
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`connection using Bluetooth
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`technology, for example.
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`These headsets have a loudspeaker, allowing the user to listen
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`to a caller's words. The
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`systen1 is usually supplemented. by a
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`microphone to transmit
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`the user's words. This microphone may be
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`integrated into the headset or detached. Furthermore,
`
`the headsets
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`include various means that make it possible to implement certain
`
`features of the telephone, such as picking up and hanging up on an
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`incoming call, or even the initialization of an outgoing call. For
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`example,
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`initialization of a call
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`is carried out by pronouncing
`
`the name of a caller, and in this case the telephone is provided
`
`with a means of voice recognition.
`
` In a more
`
`advanced. version,
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`some of
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`these headsets are
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`provided with a small screen allowing the user to have information
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`about a caller before choosing whether to answer the call or not.
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`However,
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`even provided with all of
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`the features described
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`above,
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`these headsets have various drawbacks,
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`in particular in
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`terms of the ergonomics of use.
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` Indeed,
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`these headsets must be simultaneously used with the
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`telephone, since the user must call on his/her telephone to perform
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`an action, even when he/she has an headset.
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`Furthermore, due to their size,
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`it is not easy to quickly
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`find this type of headset during an incoming call,
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`for example,
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`within a bag, and it is therefore easier to permanently keep the
`
`headset
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`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
`
`features used.
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`regularly,
`
`for example several
`
`times
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`a day,
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`is
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`relatively small compared to the total number of features offered.
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`Among the most common features are: receiving or sending telephone
`
`calls, sending short text messages, or consulting a directory.
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`The invention therefore starts from the observation that it
`
`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
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`would allow a user to leave his/her telephone in his/her bag or
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`pocket, protected from impact and thefts, but without
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`impairing
`
`the necessary features of this telephone.
`
`Thus,
`
`the invention relates to a miniature communication
`
`device,
`
`intended.
`
`for
`
`the implementation of short-range mobile
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`telephone features for a user. The device first comprises a means
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`for radio data exchange to exchange data with the mobile telephone,
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`as well as a speaker and at
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`least one microphone that makes it
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`possible for the user to send and receive sound signals.
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`This miniature communication device is characterized in that
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`it comprises a primary module,
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`a detachable headset
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`in which the
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`first means of data exchange are installed,
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`the speaker and a
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`microphone,
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`and a second means, electrical,
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`for exchanging data
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`and/or electrical
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`load between
`
`the primary module
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`and
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`the
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`detachable headset.
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`The detachable headset being designed.
`
`to be detached. by
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`nature,
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`and then repositioned frequently on the primary module,
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`makes it necessary for the second electrical means to be resistant
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`to numerous connections/disconnections.
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`To
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`this
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`end,
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`in one
`
`embodiment,
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`the
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`second means
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`for
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`electrical
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`data
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`exchange
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`comprise
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`blade
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`contactors.
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`These
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`contactors are in the form of a first set of metal blades installed
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`on one of the elements,
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`for example the headset, which, when in
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`contact with a second set of metal blades,
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`installed for example
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`on the primary module, make the exchange of the electrical load or
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`data possible. These contactors are created in such a way that
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`they withstand frequent contact.
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`However,
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`in order for the contact to take place correctly, it
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`is useful for the headset to be held in position in a sufficiently
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`effective way. To
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`this end,
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`in one embodiment,
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`the detachable
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`headset
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`comprises
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`a means
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`of
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`attachment
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`that works with a
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`complementary means built into the primary module. These means of
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`attachment are, on the one hand,
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`such that
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`they make attachment
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`and detachment easy for the communication device user and on the
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`other hand,
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`they are powerful
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`enough
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`to make
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`an effective
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`attachment possible,
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`thus avoiding a detachment that is so easy it
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`could easily be removed by a person with malicious intentions, or
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`an untimely detachment that would lead to loss of the headset.
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` In one variant,
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`the means of attachment comprise at least one
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`magnet, and in this case the additional means comprise at
`
`least
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`one element made of ferromagnetic material.
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`The characteristics of the magnet will be chosen in such a
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`way that they allow a sufficiently powerful attachment so that the
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`headset does not come off on its own during movement of the primary
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`module, while allowing easy separation of the two elements by a
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`user.
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`In one variant,
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`the means of attachment may take the form of
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`two small magnets located at both ends of the headset.
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` In
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`one
`
`embodiment,
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`the
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`first means
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`of data
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`exchange
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`implemented.
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`the wireless
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`communication
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`technology
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`of
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`the
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`“BlueTooth” type.
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`BlueTooth technology is a short-range communication protocol.
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`Thus,
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`the miniature device can communicate with a telephone located
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`in a near environment,
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`typically at a distance on the order of ten
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`meters.
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`Thus,
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`the miniature device may,
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`for example, be hung on the
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`outside of a bag, and communicate with the telephone which remains,
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`most of the time,
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`inside the bag.
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`Due to the reduced features of the miniature device, size and
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`weight are reduced, and the device can thus be easily hung on a
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`bag, clipped to a shoulder strap, or to any other object.
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`The detachable headset offers several possibilities for the
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`user
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`of
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`the miniature
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`device.
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`Thus,
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`during
`
`a
`
`telephone
`
`conversation,
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`the user may choose to bring the entire miniature
`
`device to his ear, or
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`to detach the headset
`
`from the primary
`
`module, and put it on his/her ear.
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` In another embodiment, the miniature device comprises an audio
`
`output, for example a jack-type socket, allowing the connection of
`
`a conventional wired headset.
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`The first means of data exchange are, as mentioned above,
`
`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,
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`in this case, means
`
`for
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`exchanging data with the telephone.
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`On the other hand, when the headset
`
`is in contact with the
`
`primary module,
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`the second electrical data exchange means allow
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`communication between the primary module and the mobile telephone,
`
`via the headset.
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` In order to limit the use of the mobile telephone itself as
`
`much as possible, it is useful for the miniature device to be able
`
`to allow implementation of a maximum of features, however, without
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`exceeding a certain size.
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`Thus,
`
`in one
`
`embodiment,
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`the device
`
`comprises
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`a
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`screen
`
`allowing the display of data supplied by the mobile telephone,
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`and/or a keyboard allowing data entry by the user.
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`In certain
`
`variants,
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`this screen is tactile.
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`Preferably,
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`the keyboard will be reduced to a small number of
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`keys,
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`for example,
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`less than 5.
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`For example,
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`the combination of
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`the screen and the keypad
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`enables a user to navigate the directory stored in a memory of the
`
`
`telephone and/or in a SIM card installed in the telephone.
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`In this
`
`case,
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`the keyboard may have only navigation keys,
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`for example in
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`the form of the ends of a cross, and a validation key, for example,
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`in the center of the cross.
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` In another
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`'variant,
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`the communication device comprises
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`a
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`second microphone installed in the primary module.
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` In certain variants,
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`the
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`communication device
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`comprises
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`software means making it possible to start a telephone call with
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`a person. whose
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`number‘
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`is not
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`stored.
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`in the directory of
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`the
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`telephone and/or on the SIM card of the telephone. This telephone
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`number is,
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`for example, entered by the user by means of a keypad
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`located on the communication device.
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`As explained previously,
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`the user may choose,
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`in certain
`
`situations,
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`to detach the headset and place it on his/her ear for
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`a telephone call. Accordingly,
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`it is useful
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`for this headset
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`to
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`not be too bulky or too heavy.
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`In an electronic device,
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`the weight
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`is in large part due to the power supply, especially in the form
`
`of a battery.
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`To avoid this,
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`in one embodiment,
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`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
`
`in the detachable headset. Furthermore,
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`the device comprises means
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`for transmitting power
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`from the primary device to the secondary
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`device when the detachable headset is in contact with the primary
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`
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`module.
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`Thus,
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`the headset recharges automatically as soon as it is
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`attached to the support. Generally, one of the major problems with
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`rechargeable electronic devices
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`is that users often forget
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`to
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`recharge, which results in the devices shutting down unexpectedly.
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`This is not the case here since the first data means, for example,
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`the BlueTooth
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`transmitter/receiver,
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`are
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`installed.
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`in
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`the
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`detachable headset, and the user is inclined to reposition this
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`headset on the primary module each time a conversation ends.
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`Since the primary module does not have a Heans
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`for data
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`exchange with.
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`the mobile telephone,
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`it may be useful,
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`in one
`
`embodiment,
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`for it to be able to save certain data locally,
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`in
`
`order to be able to access this data even if it cannot communicate
`
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`with the mobile telephone, oithor bocauso the headset is detached,
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`or because the first means of data exchange are inoperative.
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`To
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`this end,
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`in one embodiment,
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`the communication. device
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`comprises data storage means installed in the primary module. At
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`least part of the data stored in these storage means are received
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`from the mobile telephone via the first means of data exchange,
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`and they are transmitted to the storage means via the second means
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`of data exchange, when the detachable module is in contact with
`
`the primary module.
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`Thus,
`
`for example,
`
`the communication device records,
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`in a
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`local memory,
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`the data entered by the user on the mobile telephone,
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`and is transmitted to the communication device by a Bluetooth type
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`
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`link when the detachable headset
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`is installed. on the primary
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`module.
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`Such a device finds advantageous applications in the field of
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`sports.
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`In fact,
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`in some situations within the category of sports
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`called "extreme",
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`such as winter sports, water sports or others,
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`it is inconvenient, or even dangerous,
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`to pick up a telephone to
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`answer a call. Moreover,
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`the risk of dropping the telephone or
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`subjecting it to impact are relatively high. Thus,
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`a miniature
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`device such as that described here may advantageously be installed
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`in sports clothing, for example in the sleeve of a jacket.
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` In addition, it has been observed that people practicing this
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`kind of sport often need information relating to their position,
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`weather
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`forecasts, or other parameters. Many
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`telephones offer
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`features that allow access to this type of information, either by
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`downloading them from external
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`servers,
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`or by collecting it
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`themselves,
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`through sensors.
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` It may therefore be interesting for an athlete to easily be
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`able to access this information. To this end,
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`in one embodiment,
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`the primary module comprises means allowing the implementation of
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`additional features included in the group comprising:
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`the features
`
`of an anemometer,
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`thermometer,
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`rain gauge, distance measurement,
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`20
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`a laser pointer.
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` In one or more additional variants,
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`the primary module
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`comprises one or more features included in the group comprising:
`
`the
`
`features
`
`of
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`a
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`barometer,
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`altimeter,
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`inclinometer,
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`accelerometer, or satellite geolocation;
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`a light of the electro-
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`25
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`luminescent diode lamp type, a means for reading and radiofrequency
`
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`marking, of the RFID or NFC type, a feature for neutralizing the
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`accessory in the event of theft and an emergency call feature.
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`
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`All of these characteristics may be implemented alone or in
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`combination.
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`Similarly,
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`such a device may advantageously be used during
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`travel. Therefore,
`
`in certain embodiments,
`
`it is useful
`
`for the
`
`communication device to include means
`
`for
`
`implementing a clock
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`feature, with a choice of multiple time zones.
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`Other characteristics and advantages of
`
`the invention will
`
`become apparent with the description of some of these embodiments,
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`this being given as a non-restrictive description and by using the
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`10
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`figures in which:
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`-
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`Figures la and lb show the use of a device according to
`
`the invention,
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`-
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`Figure 2 shows an example of a device according to the
`
`invention,
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`-
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`Figure 3 shows another example of a device according to
`
`the invention,
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`in which the headset and the primary module are
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`separated.
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`A user 10 is shown provided with a mobile telephone 14 stored
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`in his/her bag 12 in Figures la and lb. The user is also provided
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`with a nfiniature communication device 16 composed of a primary
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`module 18 and a detachable headset 20.
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` In the example shown here,
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`the miniature device 16 is hung on
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`the outside of the bag,
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`for example using a keychain type device.
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`15
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`20
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`This example is not
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`the only possible embodiment
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`for
`
`the
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`25
`
`implementation of such a miniature device.
`
`
`In fact, as a variant,
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`it is possible to choose to integrate the miniature device directly
`
`inside a bag, or in another accessory such as sunglasses or a hat,
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`9
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`
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`or in any item of clothing as well.
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`10
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`The
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`following
`
`characteristics will
`
`be
`
`described with
`
`reference to Figures 2 and 3 as well.
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`The miniature device
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`16
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`telephone 14 using'
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`the radio means built
`
`exchanges data with the mobile
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`into the detachable
`
`headset 20. These means will be described in more detail using the
`
`other figures.
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`When the user 10 receives a call or when he/she wishes to
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`start one, he/she may choose to use the headset 20 by detaching it
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`10
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`from its support 18, as shown in Figure lb.
`
`
`Indeed,
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`the headset
`
`comprises a speaker 27 and a microphone 26 allowing the exchange
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`of
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`sound signals between the headset
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`and the user.
`
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`In some
`
`embodiments, it is also provided with means allowing it to be held
`
`in position on the user's ear.
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`15
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` In another configuration,
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`the user may choose to wear
`
`the
`
`entire device 16 on his/her ear.
`
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`In this event, it is useful,
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`in
`
`some embodiments, for the device l6 to include a second microphone
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`25, installed in the primary module 18, and designed to substitute
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`
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`for the microphone 26 built into the detachable headset 20.
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`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.
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`In
`
`terms of the presence or absence of the headset,
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`these means thus
`
`make it possible, depending on the operating mode of the miniature
`
`device,
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`to activate either of the microphones 25 and 26.
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`20
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`25
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`Thus,
`
`the miniature device may be in one of
`
`the following
`
`configurations:
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`10
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`
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`-
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`telephone
`
`call
`
`in progress
`
`and headset
`
`detached:
`
`ll
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`microphone 25 off and microphone 26 on,
`
`-
`
`telephone call
`
`in progress and headset not detached:
`
`microphone 25 on and microphone 26 off, and
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`-
`
`no
`
`telephone call
`
`in progress: neither of
`
`the two
`
`microphones is on.
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`The miniature device comprises a screen 22 as well as a set
`
`of buttons 23. These two elements allow a user to activate the
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`features of the mobile telephone through the miniature device, for
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`10
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`
`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
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`31
`
`are
`
`separated.
`
`The
`
`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.
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`Furthermore,
`
`the detachable headset comprises a set of blade
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`15
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`20
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`contactors 35a which, upon contact with the set of blade contactors
`
`35b installed.
`
`in the housing' 34,
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`a connection.
`
`is able to be
`
`
`established. between.
`the detachable headset
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`31
`
`and.
`
`the primary
`
`module 30,
`
`so that an exchange of data and/or the electrical load
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`25
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`may be take place.
`
` In.
`
`this example,
`
`the headset
`
`is reduced.
`
`to a Ininimum. of
`
`features, since it only has one speaker 32. On the other hand,
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`the
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`11
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`
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`primary module comprises several navigation buttons (36, 37) making
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`access to and implementation of the various features of the device
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`12
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`possible.
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`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:
`
`-
`
`-
`
`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
`
`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.
`
`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.
`
`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
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`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
`
`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
`
`
`
`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,
`
`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.
`
`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
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`14
`
`
`
`15
`
`comprising: the features of an anemometer,
`
`thermometer, rain gauge,
`
`distance measurement, a laser pointer,
`
`implemented when the detachable module is in contact with the
`
`these characteristics being
`
`primary module
`
`15
`
`15
`
`
`
`
`
`16
`
`16
`
`
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`In re Patent of: Walter G. Mayfield, et al.
`US. Patent No.:
`10,259,020
`Attorney Docket No.: 50095-0028IP1
`Issue Date:
`April 16, 2019
`Appl. Serial No.:
`15/851,952
`Filing Date:
`December 22, 2017
`Title:
`APPARATUS FOR CLEANING VIEW SCREENS AND
`
`LENSES AND METHOD FOR THE USE THEREOF
`
`DECLARATION OF LAURA H. HASTINGS-BROWNSTEIN
`
`1, Laura H. Hastings-Brownstein, declare that:
`
`l.
`
`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 performed this 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
`
`employed as 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 Autonoma of Mexico, While studying there as a Fulbright
`
`17
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`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:
`
`Januag 6, 2021
`
`By:_
`
`[a
`
`.
`
`5'
`
`Laura H. Hastings-Brownstein
`
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`18
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`