WO2005083992A1

WO2005083992A1 - In-car hands-free communication device

Info

Publication number: WO2005083992A1
Application number: PCT/FR2005/000181
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stéphane RUBEN
Original assignee: Ruben Stephane
Priority date: 2004-01-27
Filing date: 2005-01-27
Publication date: 2005-09-09
Also published as: FR2865587A1; FR2865587B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a cassette or CD device for insertion into a player for communication by means of loudspeakers, for example, in a car. Several embodiments of power supply for the device and the mutual functioning of ear-piece and loudspeakers or microphone are disclosed.

Description

HANDS-FREE COMMUNICATION DEVICE BY CAR

The present invention relates to the field of hands-free kits in motor vehicles.

The present invention relates to the field of virtual wireless adapters for using an MP3 player, a GPS navigator or a mobile phone in motor vehicles.

The present invention relates more particularly to an autonomous device based on a modified cassette called hereinafter “pseudo-cassette” or of a modified CD subsequently called “pseudo-CD” to be inserted in a radio cassette and / or CD to allow the connection of a music player, a GPS navigator or even of a mobile telephone called thereafter "communicating object" to a car radio cassette and / or CD provided with at least one speaker in order to be able to recover the sound of this so-called “communicating object” on the loudspeakers of this car radio.

The prior art already knows such kits from American patent US Pat. No. 6,058,319 (SADLER). This document describes a hands-free device comprising a mobile phone adapter, connected to a cassette to be inserted into the reader, as well as a microphone. The whole is supplied by a cable connected for example to the cigarette lighter of the car. The prior art also knows a Bluetooth version of the previous patent by American application US 2003/0224726, where the connection between the mobile and the cassette device is not wired. It is in fact carried out via Bluetooth wireless communication. The primary drawback of such a device is the absence of a satisfactory solution for the communication part to the remote interlocutor due to the fact that the microphone is necessarily integrated into the “pseudo-cassette” device. When the Bluetooth connection is established between the “pseudo-cassette” and the mobile phone (the communicating object), the laptop's microphone is deactivated. This document then does not mention any solution for the implementation of a microphone.

The realization and the installation of a microphone satisfying the problems of sufficient power of the microphone to be understood by the distant interlocutor, of "echo cancellation" (cancellation of the echo) for the distant interlocutor when he speaks, or even the use of voice recognition effectively to call back correspondents are real in the use of hands-free car kits.

The prior art also knows European application EP 0 892 535 (Wang) describing a "pseudocassette" connected to a mobile telephone by a wire. The device described also includes a microphone separate from the mobile telephone adapted to pick up the voice data of the user and transmit them to a circuit of the pseudocassette.

The present invention intends to remedy the various drawbacks of the prior art in the field of these pseudo-cassettes or pseudo-CDs used for various communicating objects. To do this, the present invention is of the type described above and it is remarkable, in its broadest sense, in that it relates to a wireless communication device between a "communicating object" and a radio cassette / CD via a cassette or CD support associated with at least one loudspeaker for the diffusion of sounds, said radio cassette / CD comprising at least one read head, said communication device comprising: • an information medium in the format of a cassette or a CD that can be inserted into said radio cassette / CD comprising at least one information writing area in a standard format that can be read by said reading head, • a converter capable of converting information into format corresponding to said information medium, of CD or cassette type, • a first module inserted in said information medium to receive signals representative of communication information, characterized in that that it further comprises a second external module capable of receiving information from said communicating object and of transmitting said information to said first module, said second module comprising at least one external microphone for picking up voice information from the user.

According to one embodiment, said second module hereinafter called “external microphone module” comprises a microphone coupled to a switch provided with a radio frequency or Bluetooth module to communicate with the “pseudo-cassette” or the “pseudo-CD” and a Bluetooth module to communicate with the mobile phone. According to one embodiment, said converter is integrated into said second external microphone module. Preferably, said converter is integrated into the “pseudo cassette”.

Advantageously, said converter is integrated into said external microphone module for the “pseudo-CD”.

Preferably, the device further comprises a switch disposed at said second external module capable of switching information (voice or data type) between said first module, and a wireless type headset which the user is provided with.

It is understood that this switch can be used in combination with the communication device according to the invention, but also alone, for example to allow switching between the transfer of information to a pseudo-cassette and a headset when wired links are used .

In this case, the switch is preferably mechanical.

In the case of wireless communications between the second external module and the pseudo-cassette or the pseudo-CD, the switch is preferably electronic and includes on-board software capable of transferring the information either to the medium or to a headset. Preferably, the "pseudo-cassette" or the "pseudo-

CD ”is powered by a rechargeable lithium battery from the car's cigarette lighter and also in part by a generator using mechanical energy from the movement of said information carrier.

Preferably, that said generator is an electromagnetic transducer. According to one embodiment, said external microphone module is powered by a rechargeable lithium battery by the cigarette lighter of the car or by a USB port.

Preferably, said device further comprises a rubberised magnet for fixing said mobile phone inside said motor vehicle in order to offer a complete hands-free solution.

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description, given below for purely explanatory purposes, of an embodiment of the invention, with reference to the appended figures in which: - Figure 1 represents the general principle d insertion of a "pseudo-cassette" in the reader, - Figure 2 shows the general principle of insertion of a "pseudo-CD" in the reader, - Figure 3 illustrates a first embodiment of the invention in the case of a wired link between a pseudo-cassette and a mobile telephone, - Figure 4 illustrates a functional architecture of a “pseudo-cassette” or of a “pseudo-CD” with remote microphone module independent of the “pseudo-cassette” and “pseudo-CD” media, - Figure 5 illustrates in more detail the independent microphone device, - Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the invention implementing a pseudo-CD.

Illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the invention relates for example to communication devices between a pseudocassette (2) or a pseudo-CD (7) and a mobile telephone. According to the various embodiments which will be studied subsequently, the communication between the telephone and the pseudo cassette or the pseudo CD is carried out either by a wired link, or by a wireless link, using a microphone module remote from the pseudo - cassette or pseudo-CD and telephone.

It is understood that the various elements mentioned in the embodiments of the invention can be considered as a combination, but also as such, as being capable of being the subject of different inventions.

Furthermore, in the present description, the term “information” will be used as meaning either data or voice depending on the type of communication used.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the microphone is remote from the “pseudocassette” or from the pseudo-CD.

According to a first variant, the invention can preferably be implemented in the context of a wire connection between the communicating object and the pseudo-cassette. Illustrated in FIG. 3, according to a first variant, the invention comprises a non-Bluetooth telephone, a cellular adapter 11 connected to the user's telephone 1, which is connected to a remote microphone 10 positioned, for example at the tie of the user and fixed by clipping. Preferably, this microphone also has a switch so that you can stop the conversation at any time. Advantageously, at the microphone, a preferably mechanical switch 13 is positioned to allow the information coming out of the mobile phone to be recovered either at the level of an earpiece 12 (secret mode) or a 2.5mm female output to which one comes to connect the "pseudo-cassette". This switch is particularly advantageous according to the invention, for reasons of confidentiality. This switch is preferably mechanical and therefore requires the intervention of the user, who moves a button to switch from one mode to another.

In a second embodiment, illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 4, the communication between the telephone and the “pseudo-cassette” or the “pseudo-CD” will be by wireless communication, for example of the Bluetooth type, via 'a module called an "external microphone module". This external microphone module makes it possible to be less dependent on wireless technologies at the “pseudo-cassette” or “pseudo CD” level.

Indeed, it is understood that the invention does not relate specifically to the Bluetooth protocol and that the person skilled in the art is able to adapt the communication between the pseudocassette or the pseudo-CD and the mobile telephone or a communication interface according to all wireless telecommunication protocol. At present, the Zigbee or NFMW protocols are for example also usable. We will then describe the rest of the present invention without limitation according to the Bluetooth protocol. With such an external microphone module, in the event of a change in the standard of communications between the mobile and the peripherals, it is therefore possible to modify only this external module, without modifying the preset characteristics associated with the pseudo-cassette or the pseudo-CD in terms of communication between the external module and the pseudo-cassette and the pseudo-CD.

In the case of FIG. 4 and of a wireless telephone of Bluetooth type, the mobile telephone 1 is therefore connected to "an external microphone module" via the Bluetooth communication protocol. The latter illustrated in FIG. 5 is itself connected to the “pseudo-cassette” or to the “pseudo- CD” via another communication protocol, either Bluetooth or Radio Frequency. Preferably, this “external microphone module” 5 includes a switch 16 to initialize or to end the communication. It also has a ringing device to be able to notify the user of the arrival of a call. It preferably contains, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a power supply 15, a microphone 14, one or more modules 18, 19 for wireless transmission and reception, as well as a hole for clipping onto a garment 20, and / or a metal fixing strip 17.

This embodiment is particularly advantageous if the communication between the telephone and the “pseudocas sette” or the “pseudo-CD” is carried out by wireless communication. Indeed, since the voice data are transmitted between the telephone and the "pseudo-cassette" or the "pseudo- CD", it is well known that the telephone's microphone is deactivated. This remote microphone device therefore makes it possible to reintegrate a usable microphone and therefore solves the problem of deactivating the peripherals.

In this way, the driver or passengers speak freely, the microphone receives the voice data, and transmits it to the mobile thanks to the Bluetooth module of the cassette, via a Bluetooth connection.

The conversation can then take place without the user having to handle either a headset or a wired connection.

The telephone conversation can also be stopped by the user directly thanks to a switch positioned at the microphone.

The Bluetooth technology used for said microphone is a Bluetooth SIM Access Profile (SAP) technology. With this technology, the microphone is able to access the SIM card of the user's mobile phone and automatically download it to the microphone module. An implementation of voice recognition within the "external microphone module" can for example allow the recall of correspondents registered on this SIM card or even pick up / hang up a call. This implementation is of known type. Those skilled in the art will understand that in the case where the telephone used does not initially have a Bluetooth type wireless functionality, a Bluetooth adapter of known type can be used.

According to this embodiment, and if the user is provided with a BlueTooth headset of known type, the external microphone module can also include an electronic switch allowing the transfer of data either from the telephone to the CD or cassette type support (mode speaker), or from the phone to the headset.

Since the wireless communication protocol (RF or Bluetooth) involves a master-slave type relationship, the external microphone module (master module) therefore includes an on-board program capable of switching over a first slave (for example the pseudo-cassette or pseudo- CD) to a second slave (for example an earpiece).

The Bluetooth module integrated into the external microphone module is powered by a rechargeable battery via current, via a car cigarette lighter.

Powering the first Bluetooth module at the “pseudo-cassette” or “pseudo-CD” level can also be important in this type of device. According to one embodiment, it is carried out using an electromechanical device of the transducer type.

Such a transducer is an electromagnetic type circuit. A first magnet is positioned on the fixed part of the cassette, and a second magnet is positioned on the rotating part. The movement of this second magnet relative to the first induces a magnetic field transformed into electric current by a circuit of known type.

The advantage of such a device is that it can power the module when it is used and therefore compensate for the lost power. According to a second embodiment, the power supply to the communication module at the “pseudo-cassette” or “pseudo-CD” level is produced by a rechargeable battery via a cigarette lighter. According to another particularly advantageous embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 6, if the vehicle is provided with a CD player, the device is adapted on a “pseudo-CD” 7.

In this case, a Radio Frequency or Bluetooth 22 wireless module in the form of an Asia is integrated directly onto the liquid crystal substrate in CD format. It will be noted that the N cavities of the liquid crystals, each representing a state, are each connected to a branch of Asia.

According to a first embodiment, a single wireless module 22 is integrated into the liquid crystal substrate.

According to the second embodiment, several Bluetooth or Radio Frequency wireless modules can be integrated into the liquid crystal substrate each managing N liquid crystal cavities (virtual data bus). The scheduling and sequencing of the information sent to the Bluetooth or Radio Frequency wireless module is carried out by a microcontroller located at the level of the "external microphone" module.

Of course, this scheduling can only take place thanks to a time and space multiplexing of the liquid crystals. According to one embodiment, an electronic circuit is also inserted over the entire surface of the CD.

The role of this electronic circuit is also to allow connection of the branches of Asia Bluetooth or Radio Frequency to each of the cavities of the liquid crystals.

According to a first embodiment, it is associated with a layer of the CD in liquid crystals over the entire surface thereof. This transformation is done by modifying the state of the crystals according to the low frequency information received, and thus to achieve a “real time” burning of the CD. At the end of the conversation, the circuit is able to restore the initial state of the liquid crystals for a new communication.

According to a second possible embodiment, the liquid crystals are replaced by a phase change material of the type of those used for recordable CDs and DVDs.

According to a variant of the invention, in the wireless type embodiments described above, the Bluetooth module inserted within the “pseudo-cassette” or the “pseudo-CD” is replaced by a radio frequency module allowing communication by radio frequency signals. This type of embodiment is particularly advantageous in the case of the cassette where the rotational energy for supplying the module is quite low.

According to one embodiment, the supply of the passive components integrated into the “pseudo-CD” is made by means of an ultra-flat battery 21 not exceeding the maximum thickness required by a CD.

Furthermore, in order to make the kit entirely hands-free and ergonomic, the invention may also include a rubberized magnet allowing the telephone to be placed, for example above the dashboard. This magnet is for example of cylindrical shape. In view of the invention, the advantage is that the user has no constraint on positioning his mobile, all communications being carried out by Bluetooth links and via the speakers.

It is understood that the invention has been described in all of the above embodiments with a mobile telephone, but that it also applies if the user is provided with any telecommunication device, for example of the type IPOD, IPACQ for Bluetooth, PDA, or Blackberry data. Those skilled in the art are able to adapt the communication protocols to these different types of devices.

One will also understand the interest of the external module comprising a microphone in the case of an IPOD provided with a Bluetooth connection, for example to control, by voice recognition the change of track, or any control over music or in a GPS system to give voice indications of a destination.

Finally, the invention has been described in the case of a car fitted with a cassette and / or CD player. Those skilled in the art will understand that it also applies directly to any device comprising external speakers and a CD and / or cassette player. This is particularly the case for living room Hi-Fi systems.

The invention is described in the foregoing by way of example. It is understood that a person skilled in the art is able to produce different variants of the invention without going beyond the scope of the patent. ,

Claims

1. Wireless communication device between a “communicating object” and a radio cassette / CD via a cassette or CD support associated with at least one loudspeaker for the diffusion of sounds, said radio cassette / CD comprising at least one read head, said communication device comprising: • an information medium in the format of a cassette or CD which can be inserted into said radio cassette / CD comprising at least one data recording area in a standard format can be read by said read head, • a converter capable of converting information to the format corresponding to said information medium, of the type

CD or cassette, • a first module (22) inserted in said information medium for receiving signals representative of communication information, characterized in that it further comprises a second external module (5) capable of receiving information from said object communicating and transmitting said information to said first module, said second module comprising at least one external microphone (14) for picking up voice information from the user.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said microphone is coupled to a switch capable of interrupting the communication.

3. Device according to claim 1, further comprising a switch disposed at said second module capable of switching information between said first module, and an earpiece which is provided to the user.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said switch is an electronic switch.