United States Patent 15
`Braitbergetal.
`
`5,479,479
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`[45] Date of Patent: Dec. 26, 1995
`
`ARTOACCAAA
`
`US005479479A
`
`[54]
`
`[73]
`
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`TRANSMISSION OF AND RECEIVING
`SIGNALS HAVING DIGITAL INFORMATION
`USINGAN AIR LINK
`
`Inventors: Michael F. Braitberg; Patrick J.
`Kennedy; Richard A. Chandler,all of
`Boulder, Colo.
`
`[73]
`
`Assignee: Cell Port Labs, Inc., Boulder, Colo.
`
`[21]
`
`[22]
`
`[63]
`
`[53]
`[52]
`
`[58]
`
`[56]
`
`Appl. No.: 50,910
`
`Filed:
`
`Apr. 20, 1993
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 773,840, Oct. 9, 1991, Pat.
`No. 5,333,177.
`
`Tint, C18 iecccccecssssesssssssesesssssesssneescsssseessessee HO04M 11/00
`US. Ce cceeceeccceccsseeseees 379/58; 455/33.1; 370/85.7;
`370/85.13; 379/59
`Field of Search .........0.c eee 379/58, 59, 63;
`455/33.1, 84, 89, 90; 370/85.1, 85.2, 85.7,
`$5.13, 95.1, 95.3
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`
`9/1987 O'Sullivan .......
`4,697,281
`1/1988 Serrano et al.
`..
`4,718,080
`
`4,792,986 12/1988 Garneret al.....
`....
`4,837,800
`6/1989 Freeburg et al.
`
`.
`...
`4,890,315
`12/1989 Bendixen et al.
`
`4,972,457
`11/1990 O’ Sullivan 0...eeeeecsteseneeceee 379/59
`4,977,609
`12/1990 McClure ......22.-..ccecceecececeeeeeees 455/89
`5,020,090
`5/1991 Morris......
`....
`5,046,187
`9/1991 Takahashi
`-
`..
`5,081,667
`1/1992 Drori etal.
`5,095,503
`3/1992 Kowalski oo... ssccsscsseseeeeseee 579/59
`
`
`
`5,109,402
`4/1992 Anderson et al. oo... 379/63
`5,119,397
`...
`wae 3755
`6/1992 Dahlin et al.
`
`5,127,041
`w+ 379/59
`6/1992 O’Sullivan ..
`
`5,146,486
`.» 379/40
`9/1992 Lebowitz ....
`
`5,148,473
`9/1992 Freelandet al.
`.
`.. 379/59
`5,214,774
`5/1993 Welsch etal. ...
`455/33.1
`
`5,237,570
`8/1993 Smolinskeet al.
`.
`. 455/84
`5,276,703
`1/1994 Budin etal. .....
`370/85.2
`
`5,297,142
`3/1994 Paggeot et al... 379/63
`5,331,634
`» 370/85.13
`7/1994 Fischer.....
`
`5,371,734 12/1994 Fischer occ 370/95.1
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`AB3X Cellular Interface Owner’s Manual, Morrison &
`Dempsey Communications, Nov. 16, 1987.
`
`Primary Examiner—Dwayne D. Bost
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Sheridan Ross & Mcintosh
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A cellular telephoneis interconnected to a control unit via a
`cable. The cable contains both appropriate interdisciplinary
`comnections for attachment to the telephone at one end and
`to the control unit at the other end via a universal connector.
`At least one contact of the universal connector is capable of
`producing a signal coded to identify the type of cellular
`telephone attached to the connector at the other end. A
`decoderat the control unit identifies the type of phone as by
`table look-up and establishes appropriate interfacing opera-
`tional functions at its universal connector to properly operate
`with the telephone. Accordingly, the control unit can func-
`tion with any of a wide variety of cellular telephones having
`differently configured cable connections and cable connec-
`tor disciplines of contact assignments.
`In addition,
`the
`control unit may include circuitry for controlling a number
`of peripheral devices which are operable to send and receive
`digital data through the cellular phone unit to and from
`remote devices via radio frequency signals.
`
`29 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`CELLULAR RAQIO TELEPHOUE
`
`/
`
`[0
`
`y"_rarenconnect CABLE
`45
`
`
` 48
`46
`
`
`+1
`260 i
`
`
`
`
`
`RY
`ER
`
`BATTE!
`CHARG!
`aa
`
`
`
`val] [eneLo
`
`1
`
`SAMSUNG1064
`SAMSUNG 1064
`SAMSUNG v. SMART MOBILE
`SAMSUNGv. SMART MOBILE
`IPR2022-01004
`IPR2022-01004
`
`1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 26, 1995
`
`Sheet 1 of 9
`
`5,479,479
`
`FIG. |
`PRIOR ART
`
`
`(G3HOLIMS)NOYSMOd——<-p¢
`BLOWSY——<36LYOd1W9071OLNdI—-—-—_<.-¢¢ASN3S
`
`
`
`
`LNOOlanNvV-————<.gg.
`
`
`
` WOWAMALIWEOLSEIOA2°9———<jc!{Lno4(0)}+s2|5nw|
`
`LYOdNdd-1VWI0I-—————<.g¢
`
`49079NdI——<.)¢
`
`
`
`
`ONNOYS————<.9¢Nw
`
` |||IndN!olanyv-———<.Op
`aNno¥s————~<¢¢
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 3 PRIOR ART
`
`2
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sheet 2 of 9
`
`Dec. 26, 1995
`
`5,479,479
`
`FIG. 1A prop art
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 26, 1995
`
`Sheet 3 of 9
`
`5,479,479
`
`
`
`FIG.2A
`PRIOR ART
`
`[|
`
`FIG.2D
`PRIOR ART
`
`A
`——
`FIG. 2E
`PRIOR ART
`
`FIG.2B
`PRIOR ART
`
`FIG. 2C
`PRIOR ART
`
`FIG. 2F
`PRIOR ART
`
`90-.
`
`RF INPUT
`
`
`REMOTE SENSE104
`
`
`PORTABLE POWER SENSE
`GROUND (SIGNAL)
`i
`(
`
`CHASSIS GROUND
`
`MICROPHONE
`
`RESERVED
`
`SPEAKER
`
`CLOCK
`
`DATA OUT
`
`
`(ee),
`
`
`
`BATTERY CHARGER
`
`103
`
`Pe
`
`P3108lO7
`
`4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 26, 1995
`
`Sheet 4 of 9
`
`5,479,479
`
`RF
`ANTENNA
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`
`
`LCD MODULE
`
`
`22
`
`INPUT/ OUTPUT
`CONNECTOR
`
`FIG. 5
`
`53.
`
`(50
`
`(56
`
`PRIOR ART
`
`5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sheet 5 of 9
`
`Dec.26, 1995
`
`5,479,479
`
`6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 26, 1995
`
`Sheet 6 of 9
`
`5,479,479
`
`
`
`FIG. 14
`
`CELLULAR RADIO TELEPHONE
`
`10
`
`
`
`
`
`IDENTIFICATION
`BATTERY
`POWER
`
`
`LOGIC
`CHARGER
`SUPPLY
`224
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`TEMPERATURE
`
`
`
`NON-VOLATILE
`MICROPROCESSOR
`
`
`212
`MEMORY
`208
`
`
`
`MEMORY LOGIC
`
`216
`
`7
`
`

`

`USS. Patent
`
`Dec. 26, 1995
`
`Sheet 7 of 9
`
`5,479,479
`
`Fic. 15
`
`CELLULAR RADIO TELEPHONE
`
`10
`
`nog /
`
`\_48
`4¢—_———_INTERCONNECT CABLE
`45
`
`46
`
`MIC.
`
`252
`
`SPKR.
`
`256
`
`+12V
`260
`
`BATTERY
`CHARGER
`
`POWER
`SUPPLY
`
`IDENTIFICATION
`LOGIC
`224
`
`STORAGE
`
`264
`
`MICROPROCESSOR
`
`208
`
`NON-VOLATILE
`
`MEMORY
`
`212
`
`REAL-TIME
`
`MEMORY LOGIC
`
`216
`
`pe
`
`220f
`
`CD-ROM
`
`one
`
`288
`
`DISPLAY
`
`GPS RECEIVER
`
`284
`
`8
`
`8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 26, 1995
`
`Sheet 8 of 9
`
`5,479,479
`
`300
`
`RECEIVE RF SIGNAL
`
`VIA AIR-LINK
`
`DO SIGNALS CONTAIN
`
`308
`
`VOICE OR DATA/
`
`CONTROL INFOR-
`
`MATION?
`
`VOICE
`
`ROUTE VOICE INFORMATION
`
`TO AUDIO INTERFACE 236
`
`
`TION TO MICROPROCESSOR 208
`
`304
`
`DATA/CONTROL
`
`ROUTE DATA/CONTROL INFORMA~
`
`320
`
`TS DATA/CONTROL
`1S DATA/CONTROL
`INFORMATION
`INFORMATION ADDRESSED
`
`
`ADDRESSED TO Y|TRANSLATE AND ACT|TO MICROPROCESSOR?
`
`A PERIPHERAL c>
`DEVICE?
`316
`Y
`
`N
`
`INFORMATION N
`C> ON DATA/CONTROL
`ROUTINE
`DATA STORAGE 264 333
`BUSY? Y|BUFFER DATA/CONTROL vein, y
`
`
`INFORMATION IN
`: c BUS RESET
`328
`336
`
`DETERMINE WHICH PERIPHERAL
`
`DEVICE IS TO RECEIVE DATA/
`
`CONTROL INFORMATION, FORMAT
`INFORMATION AS APPROPRIATE
`
`TS BUS
`
`INITIATE ERROR
`
`318
`
`N
`
`MICROPROCESSOR 208 TAKES CONTROL
`OF BUS 280 AND TRANSFERS DATA/
`CONTROL INFORMATION TO APPRO-
`PRIATE PERIPHERAL DEVICE
`
`332
`
`334
`
`FIG. 16
`
`9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 26, 1995
`
`Sheet 9 of 9
`
`5,479,479
`
`PERIPHERAL DEVICE
`
`GENERATES DATA
`
`IS BUS
`BUSY?
`
`HAS TIME-OUT
`EXPIRED?
`
`PLACE DATA ON BUS 280
`
`TS DATA ADDRESSED
`
`TO ANOTHER DEVICE
`
`ON BUS?
`
`ry
`
`ADDRESSED DEVICE RETRIEVES
`
`DATA FROM BUS 280 N
`412
`INITIATE ERRORROUTINE
`OVERAIRLINK?ne, "
`AND FORMAT DATA ACCORDINGLY
`
`SEND DATA TO
`
`MICROPROCESSOR 208}
`
`TS DATA TO BE SENT
`
`!
`DETERMINE MODE OF CELLULAR PHONE
`
`4i]
`
`415
`
`TS DIGITAL CHANNEL
`
`OF CELLULAR
`PHONE BUSY?
`
`BUFFER DATA IN
`DATA STORAGE 264
`
`|_420
`FIG. 17
` TRANSMIT DATA VIA RF
`
`INITIATE CHANNEL CONNECTION TO
`REMOTE DEVICE AND TRANSFER DATA
`TO PHONE ON DIGITAL DATA LINE
`
`424
`
`SIGNALS OVER AIRLINK
`
`|_428
`
`10
`
`

`

`5,479,479
`
`1
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`TRANSMISSION OF AND RECEIVING
`SIGNALS HAVING DIGITAL INFORMATION
`USING AN AIR LINK
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`The present application is a continuation-in-part of com-
`monly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/773,840
`filed Oct. 9, 1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,177.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`10
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to wireless radio transmis-
`sion of voice and data information.
`
`2
`conventionally accomplished via analog channels with
`Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS)
`type (FM)
`phones. In order to send digital information, modems are
`used to convert digital signals to analog tones which are sent
`through the phone via the normal wireless radio voice
`channel. AMPS type phonesalso include a digital channel
`for transceiving command and control signals to and from
`the phone circuitry. However, no output pin is currently
`provided for transferring digital information beyond the
`phoneitself.
`In recent years, progress in the field of wireless personal
`communications has been impededby the limited amountof
`assigned radio spectrum. In response,
`the industry has
`recently developed digital wireless phones which can more
`easily share the available RF spectrum by packetizing data.
`Digital wireless phones such as Time Division Multiple
`Access
`(TDMA) and Code Division Multiple Access
`(CDMA) phones have the capability of passing digital
`information via a special digital data burst mode. However,
`both CDMAand TDMArequire bandwidth compression of
`voice signals in order to make moreefficientuse of available
`RF spectrum. Thisis typically accomplished by some form
`of voice encoding/decoding module (often called a vocoder)
`which systematically reduces the numberof bits per second
`required to be sent to represent voice signals based on a
`predetermined knowledge of the workingsof the voicetract.
`By optimizing the coding process for voice signals,
`the
`transmitted bit rate can be reduced from several tens of
`kilobits per second to a few kilobits per second, thereby
`making moreefficient use of the available RF spectrum.
`Since the vocoders are designed specifically to work with
`voice signals, they cannot accommodate modem,facsimile,
`or other signals that do not exhibit voice characteristics.
`Data signals must be sent in a different fashion, ideally as
`digital signals. Neither the conventional AMPS cellular
`telephones nor the new analog/TDMA dual-modecellular
`phonespresently provide a digital data path into or out of the
`phone.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`invention is to provide a
`One object of the present
`universal physical and electrical connection to a plurality of
`different kinds of hand-held cellular telephone units. A
`selectable adapter cable coding permits determination of the
`unique identity of the type of attached phone thereby allow-
`ing a data processing unit or the like to establish appropriate
`electrical interfacing support operations. A further purpose
`oil the invention is to provide meansto interface with a large
`number of hand-held and portable phones to achieve low
`cost electrical adapters that are useful with many makes and
`models of phones.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a
`universal car kit which will adapt its operation to the needs
`of whatever cellular phone is attachedto it. The universal car
`kit may be used with the selectable adapter cable to enable
`the operation of any hand-held portable cellular phone in a
`car kit environment.
`
`2. Background of the Invention
`Cellular
`telephone systems have gained widespread
`acceptance as an efficient means of mobile voice and data
`communications. While early mobile units were large and
`complex, miniaturization has made possible hand-held units
`with full functional capabilities allowing the user freedom to
`use the phone unit without connection to the vehicle. Unfor-
`tunately,
`this miniaturization has made portable and or
`hand-held units less practical for vehicular use. For example,
`battery charging, remote antenna connections, voice and
`data communications, and most importantly, what is known
`as “hands free” operation require physical connection to the
`phone unit.
`To solve this problem cellular phone manufacturers have
`made available car kits to provide the required features.
`These kits include physical hardware to retain the phonein
`the vehicle including an attachment for establishing an
`electrical connection to the phone and various types of
`remote speakers, microphones and external antenna connec-
`tions. The speakers and microphones provide “hands free”
`operation, and the external antenna connection improves
`reception of RF signals in the highly metallized automobile
`environment. These kits also include complex clectronics
`modules to provide a variety of battery charging and audio
`amplification services to the phone unit.
`There are a large number of modelsof cellular telephones
`in existence and each physical interconnection and electrical
`interface is unique to a manufacturer’s specific model. There
`are many examples of presently used physical interconnec-
`tions. As a result, car kits do not provide any form of
`universal connection and are neither physically norelectri-
`cally interchangeable. Further, because of the large variety
`and relatively low volume production of these kits, users are
`forced to pay prices comparable to the much more complex
`phone unit itself to obtain these kits.
`This situation has caused a hardship on cellular telephone
`users and affected the marketplace for new equipment. Fleet
`users,
`for example, cannot provide a universal car kit
`connection for the variety of phones they may acquire. Users
`are forced to abandon their investment in the car kit when
`purchasing new models of telephones. These limitations
`have prevented businesses such as car rental agencies from
`Still another object of the present invention is to provide
`providing users with meansto use their car phones in rented
`a method and apparatus for contro!ling a numberof periph-
`vehicles. Further, the high cost of these car kits has caused
`eral devices which may transmit and receive digital data via
`many users to operate hand-held units while driving, an
`RF signals through a wireless radio unit. This embodiment
`unsafe condition which is subject to increasing governmen-
`may be used with the universal car kit to provide expanded
`communications capabilities in the automobile environment.
`tal concern and regulation.
`In addition, recent advancements in the field of electron-
`One embodiment of this invention provides a universal
`ics has madeit desirable to be able to transmit and receive
`interface with a cable having onafirst end a multiple contact
`connector of a predetermined number of contacts in a
`digital data using a cellular phone. Modern communications
`predetermined configuration and contact assignment disci-
`networks, notably cellular radio telephone systems, have
`pline. At least one of the first end connectors are adapted for
`allowedthe possibility of wide area networksfor digital data
`presenting a coded signal. That signal coding identifies at
`transfer and control. At present, data communication is
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`

`5,479,479
`
`3
`least the type of cellular phone attached to the connector on
`the opposite end of the cable. An arrangementis coupled to
`the coded signal connector for determining the type of
`cellular phone attached to the opposite end connectorofthe
`cable. Once the phone identification is determined,
`the
`system enables the cable first end connector contacts for
`performing functional operations with the cellular telephone
`attached to the cable.
`
`The coded signal identifies a particular model ofcellular
`telephone. Information for controlling the cable first end
`connectorfor functionally operating with a particular one of
`a plurality of cellular telephones is retrievably stored as a
`multiplicity of information groups. Each such group is
`selectable in accordance with the coded signal. This makes
`it possible to respond to a received codedsignal for selecting
`the information group identified thereby from storage and
`for using that group to enable appropriate interfacing with
`the cellular telephone through the cable connectors.
`A second embodimentofthe present invention includes a
`car kit controlling means for controlling car kit operations
`which are dependent on the type of wireless telephone used.
`The car kit controller of this embodiment includescircuitry
`for connecting the car kit to the phone via the universal
`connector cable described above. Someof the car kit opera-
`tions which are variable according to the specific model of
`wireless telephone employed include DC powerlevel con-
`trol, battery charging regulation, send and receive audio
`level control, external antenna coupling, and formatting of
`contro] data between the car kit and the phone.
`A further embodiment of the present invention includes
`additional circuitry in the car kit controller for controlling
`peripheral devices attached to the car kit. A plurality of
`different peripheral devices may be attached to a bus which
`is connected to the car kit controller. The car kit controller
`of the present invention is able to transmit data to and from
`the peripheral devices on the bus over radio frequency
`signals using the wireless telephone. Any numberof differ-
`ent peripheral devices may be attached to the bus including
`a navigational positioning device (e.g. GPS receiver), a
`display unit, a Compact Disc read only memory (CD-ROM),
`a security system, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a
`keypad, a vehicle monitoring system (VMS), etc. Thus, the
`applications of this embodiment are varied and many.
`Those having normal skill in the art will recognize the
`foregoing and other objects, features, advantages and appli-
`cations of the present invention from the following more
`detailed description of the preferred embodimentsasillus-
`trated in the accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIGS. 1 and 1A show a contemporary cellular telephone
`and a typical car kit, respectively.
`FIGS. 2A to 2F show examplesof a variety of hand-held
`cellular telephone input/output physical interfaces.
`FIG.3 is a tabulation of the electrical functions associated
`with a typical input/output connector for a contemporary
`cellular telephone.
`FIG. 4 is an exemplary embodiment of an adapter cable
`in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG.5 is a block diagram of a typical hand-held cellular
`phoneunit.
`FIGS. 6A to 6D illustrate one method of embodying a
`coded adapter cable connector in accordance with this
`invention.
`
`25
`
`30
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`12
`
`4
`FIG.7 is a diagram of an embodimentin accordance with
`this invention for identifying the adapter interface connector.
`FIG. 8 is a partially schematic diagram of another
`embodiment of this invention for identifying the adapter
`cable by selectable resistor means.
`FIG. 9 is a tabulation of an exemplary connection assign-
`ment discipline for use in conjunction with the present
`invention.
`
`FIG. 10 shows a configuration of a cable connector
`mounting suitable for attachment to a panel, dashboard,
`bulkheadorthelike.
`
`FIG. 11 is another configuration of a cable connector
`mounting suitable for a panel type attachment.
`FIG.12 is an arrangementfor a cable connector mounting
`as a replacement for a vehicle cigarette lighter.
`FIG. 13 is an illustration of a female connector for
`adapting the FIG. 4 cable as an extension.
`FIG.14is an illustration of a universal car kit controller
`in accordance with one embodiment of the present inven-
`tion.
`FIG. 15 is an illustration of a universal car kit controller
`including peripheral devices
`in accordance with one
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of one
`embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 15.
`FIG.17is a flow chart illustrating the operation of another
`embodimentof the present invention shown in FIG. 15.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`The present invention is described below for the detailed
`descriptions of the embodiment with emphasis upon the
`automotive applications and environments. However the
`inventionis not restricted to the automobile environment but
`is well suited for use in any type of environmentincluding
`all types of vehicles, tractors, trucks, boats or airplanes as
`well as in buildings and anywhere portable units are opera-
`tional.
`
`Further, though the present invention is described below
`with reference to a hand-held portable cellular telephone,it
`is recognized that the present invention may be used with
`any one-way or two-wayradio designed to work on any type
`of wireless radio network. Such networks may include
`analog mobile cellular
`telephone networks
`(Advanced
`Mobile Phone Service, or AMPS), dual-mode analog/digital
`mobile cellular telephone networks, purely digital mobile
`cellular telephone networks, or any of a range of other types
`of networks using cellular and other technologies. Other
`cellular-like services may include personal communications
`networks (PCNs) andsatellite-based mobile radio networks
`such as those proposed before the FCC as low-earth-orbit
`(LEQ) systems. Other types of radio system that these
`inventions pertain to include, but are not limited to, geo-
`synchronoussatellite systems such as that planned by the
`American Mobile Satellite Corporation and Telestat Canada,
`as well as conventional
`terrestrial mobile radio systems,
`Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) systems adapted fordigi-
`tal data transmission, Enhanced SMR systems, and carrier-
`provided mobile services such as paging services, the IBM/
`Motorola ARDIS network, RAM Mobile Data, and any
`other commercial radio service.
`
`Hand-held cellular telephones, such as unit 10 illustrated
`in FIG’s. 1 and 1A, employ a wide variety of physical
`interfaces. There are a large number of models of cellular
`telephones in existence and each physical interconnection
`andelectrical interface is unique to a manufacturers specific
`model.
`
`12
`
`

`

`5,479,479
`
`5
`Cellular phone 10 includes a typical array of features for
`such devices. Keypad 12 allows dialing and other data
`processing/generating functions. An earphone 14 is posi-
`tioned at one end while a microphone/speaker 15is located
`at the other end. Liquid crystal display (LCD) 16 provides
`a compact presentation of limited information to the user
`while switch 18 is for on/off control. A battery pack 20 is
`attached to the lower portion of phone 10 and requires
`periodic recharging when unit 10 is connected to the car kit
`500. The phoneis released for detachment from cradle 510
`by manual button 21.
`Interconnections with the car kit 500 are established by a
`plug 22 at one end of unit 10. The particular connector of
`FIG. 1 is a male connection with a center extension 24
`having arrays of electrical contacts on the upper and lower
`surfaces thereof. Additionally, an RF coaxial type element
`25 is included as a portion of plug 22. Note that not every
`cellular telephone has an RF connector even though oneis
`included in the example shown as element 25. In conven-
`tional use, unit 10 is stored in the car kit cradle 510, and plug
`22 is coupled with a complementary connector 520 car kit
`500.
`
`FIGS. 2A through 2F show a series of examples of
`presently used physical interconnections for cellular tele-
`phones. That is, FIG. 2A to 2F present typical examples of
`cylindrical, rectangular, spring contact and pad type con-
`nections used in commoncellular phoneunits, usually in the
`baseplate thercof. From this it is apparent the wide range of
`configurations and physical sizes prohibits a commoninter-
`connection to car kit 500 or the like. Such phones are
`expected to use even smaller connectors as the units are
`further miniaturized in the future.
`
`25
`
`Electrical interfaces to the various phone units present
`still more problems. For instance, there is a wide variety of
`battery types and voltages used in the rechargeable battery
`packs incorporated into the phone units. Further, the elec-
`trical phone signals exist in a wide variety of voltage levels
`and signal coding schemes. A typical example of the func-
`tions assigned to the pins of a conventional phone input/
`output connector 22 containing connector contacts or pins
`31-41is shown in FIG. 3. Note that connector 22 of FIG. 3
`might or might not represent the specific pin function
`assignments for connector 22 shown in FIG. 1. While there
`is a certain amount of commonality of functions associated
`with many cellular phones, the particular function assigned
`to a given pin often varies as does the numberof functions,
`the numberof pins and their physical configurations.
`Connector 22 is shown with a coaxial connector 41 to
`provide for direct connection to the RF connection. Pin 31
`is used for battery charging from the remote adapter, while
`pin 32 is used to detect the presence of the remote adapter
`and pin 33 is used for digital communication to the remote
`adapter. Pin 34 is used to signal the remote adapter that
`phone poweris on. Pin 35 has the low level audio output
`signal to drive a remote speaker amplifier. Pins 36 and 39
`provide internal ground connections. Pin 37 provides the
`CPU clock signal, pin 38 is the local to CPU communica-
`tions port, and pin 39 is used to receive the signal from the
`Temote microphone.
`The internal architecture of a typical hand-held AMPS
`type phone unit is shown in block diagram form in FIG. 5
`where further details of the interconnections with the inter-
`nal block functions of the phone with the input/output
`connector 22 described above are presented. The peripheral
`elements of FIG. 5 correspond to their counterparts of FIG.
`1. Note that the speaker 15A is separate from the micro-
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`13
`
`6
`phone 15B but both are housed at that end of unit 10. This
`is to prevent production of the ringing sounddirectly into the
`ear of the user. Radio board 42 contains the radio frequency
`signal handling components whereas a computerincluding a
`conventional CPU with its input/output interfaces is con-
`tained in board 44, The CPU of board 44 handles all the host
`functions associated with the components shown.
`It is possible to create a custom tailored adapter cable
`configured internally to transpose connections between the
`various interconnection disciplines along the lines of those
`shogun in FIG. 2. The present invention in part contemplates
`creation of an adapter cable with a universal interface as a
`common connector at one end but with that cable provided
`with a suitable connector at the other end to attach to a
`
`particular connector configured to another contact assign-
`mentdiscipline. To accomplish this goal, two problems are
`solved. First, a suitable connector is designed so that any
`phone unit is accommodated regardless of electrical inter-
`face. Second, means are provided to determine exactly what
`phone unit is connected to the adapter cable so that the
`electronic interface can properly adapt to that phone.
`A suitable connector must meet
`several conflicting
`requirements. An acceptable connector system must be low
`cost, allow a variety of mounting arrangements and have
`characteristics suitable for its intended operating environ-
`ment such as for use not only in automobiles but also in
`vehicles, boats, trucks, airplanes,trains, tractors, residences,
`and so forth. Often the operating environment demands
`shielding of the cable and connector as protection against
`interference with other equipmentthat is interference signal
`sensitive as well as to protect the phone system from
`interference signals. Such a connector and adapter cable
`system is shown in FIG. 4 and described below.
`A universal connector 45 is arranged in accordance with
`a predetermined assignment of pin functions. On the oppo-
`site end of cable 46 is a connector 48 configured to attach to
`a particular cellular phone such as oneofthose illustrated in
`FIGS. 2A—2F. The conductors within cable 46 are connected
`within plugs 46 and 48so that the pin functions are matched.
`Asis likewise described in greater detail below, connector
`45 can include an arrangementfor providing a signal to the
`using device attached to plug 45 wherein the signal
`is
`encodedto identify the kind of cellular phone plugged into
`connector 48 at the other end of cable 46.
`
`One example of a suitable connector for providing a
`standard interface connection as for the FIG. 4 cable is
`iNustrated in FIG. 9. This connector is preferably panel
`mounted and consists of a protective hood 90 protecting a
`rectangular center block 100 of insulating material with
`parallel rows of contacts. Each row preferably has eight gold
`plated, substantially flat contacts 91-98 and 101-108. These
`contacts are formed slightly convex in order to create
`miniature leaf springs which provide pressure with the
`contacts of the mating connector. Thus the interface to the
`mating connectors is such that they are self-cleaning by
`means of the self wiping action during insertion. This is an
`especially important consideration in automobile applica-
`tions.
`
`Note that, if desired, hood 90 could provide a shield
`against outside signals interfering with the cable signals or,
`conversely, against signals in cable 46 from interfering with
`other equipments. This is possible byelectrically connecting
`hood 90 to a sleeve type RF shield encasing the main body
`of cable 46 and a similar shielding hood at the opposite end
`connector 48.
`
`13
`
`

`

`5,479,479
`
`7
`The contact pins 91-98 and 101-108 are arrayed along
`each side of block 100 with the tubular, coaxial radio
`frequency (RF) connector 99 located in spaced relation
`towards one end.A typical such connector 99 is 0.10 inches
`in diameter with acceptable radio frequency characteristics
`such as a low standing waveratio at frequencies of 800 to
`900 Mhz suitable for attachment to a coaxial cable. Con-
`nections to the contacts are conventional as by soldering,
`crimping or the like. The center block 100 and RF connector
`99 are recessed in a rectangular shell 90 to provide protec-
`tion from physical damage. The mating connector has the
`same characteristics with the housing designed to provide
`protection cable strain relief and a locking mechanism to
`provide secure engagement but allow easy removal.
`Assuming connector 45 of FIG. 4 is arranged in accor-
`dance with FIGS. 9 whereas connector 48 on the opposite
`end of cable 46 is configured pursuant to the FIG. 3
`discipline, the conductors through cable 46 would intercon-
`nectthe pins at each plug which have comparable functions.
`A coaxial cable would thus couple RF plug 25 with RF plug
`99. Conductors wouldalso interconnect battery pin 31 with
`charger pin 101, both pins 36 and 39 with ground pin 91,
`clock pin 37 with pin 96, pin 35 with pin 92, and pin 40 with
`pin 94. Further, pin 34 is connected with pin 103 while pin
`32 is interconnected with pin 102. Finally pin 33 is coupled
`to pin 97 while pin 38 goes to pin 95 as does pin 35.
`If one ofthe groundsat pins 36 and 39 of FIG.3 are signal
`grounds rather than chassis grounds,
`that particular pin
`might connect with pin 104. In the standard established by
`FIG.9, pins 105-108 identified as P1—P4 are employed for
`device identification purposes as is described in detail in
`FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. Notethat the FIG. 9 connectorhas a battery
`temperature sensor input terminal 98. This is to accommo-
`date cellular phones that include such a sensor output even
`though the FIG. 3 connector does not include this function.
`When the control device attached to plug 90 senses the
`modeltype identification from terminals 105-108, it would
`realize that the phone model involved here does not have a
`battery temperature sensing signal and would ignore pin 98.
`Otherwise the controller adjusts its interconnections and
`support functioning for terminals 91-98 and 101-104 to
`fully cooperate with the phone connected via appropriate
`conductors to the other end of the cable from connector 90.
`
`FIG. 10 shows connector 120, a snap-in bulkhead mount-
`ing version, that mates with the adapter cable. Installed from
`the front of the panel in a rectangular cut out, a trim bezel
`121 forms a front panel mounting surface. As is common
`practice, molded clips such as 122 allow easy insertion but
`expand and lock against
`the rear surface of the panel
`retaining the connector body while accommodating a range
`of panel thickness. This and the following version are useful
`for original equipment automobile installation.
`Assembly 125 of FIG. 11 is somewhat similar to FIG. 10
`but is designed for either front or rear insertion of connector
`126. For example, a bezel assembly 128 includes snap-
`mountretaining clips such as 129 to hold assembly 128 in
`a panel opening similar to the FIG. 10 clips as described
`above. Assembly 128 acts as a receiver for connector body
`126 which in this example has snap tongues such as 130 on
`the upper and lower surfaces which engage respective slots
`such as slots 131 and 132 in the bezel assembly 128. Rear
`mounting is desirable in some cases where the cable is
`permanently affixed to an electronics module for example.
`Many variations of this and the previous mounting method
`are possible to provide easier installation and lower product
`cost. For instance,it is possible to integrate the bezel with
`the dashboard fascia molding eliminating or modifying
`elements of the mounting method.
`
`15
`
`20
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`65
`
`14
`
`8
`FIG. 12 illustrates a connector 110 that mates with the
`adaptercable. This version resides in a housing 112 designed
`in a manneridentical to the common automotive cigarette
`lighter assembly which is approximately 7% inches in diam-
`eter. It can include means to secure it to the panel such as
`retaining tabs 115 and a locating groove 116 especially if it
`is removable. Installation is by replacing the existing lighter
`assembly without requiring permanent modification to the
`vehicle. If necessary the original lighter assembly can be
`re-installed at some future time to restore the vehiclesto its
`original condition. This version is useful in an aftermarket
`installation kit.
`
`FIG. 13 is a mating cable end to the