WO2005091606A1

WO2005091606A1 - Mobile phone handsfree kit for use in a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2005091606A1
Application number: PCT/IB2004/000473
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dietmar Krebs
Original assignee: Nokia Inc
Current assignee: Nokia Inc
Priority date: 2004-02-25
Filing date: 2004-02-25
Publication date: 2005-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 2006-08-25

Abstract

The present invention provides a mobile phone handsfree kit for use in a vehicle, that is easy to install and less expensive than conventional kits. The kit comprises a main module, a control unit comprising a microphone, a power connector adapted to provide power to the main module, and a connection component adapted to connect the main module with a mobile phone. The main module is adapted for being installed inside a cavity of a vehicle door, the power connector is adapted to be supplied with power by an electrical interface system mounted in the vehicle door, and the main module comprises a relay connectable with an audio output of an audio system and a speaker mounted in the vehicle door. The relay is adapted to connect the speaker either with the audio output or with the main module, the connection between the speaker and the main module being made while a call is made with the mobile phone. Further the present invention provides a vehicle door wherein such a handsfree kit is integrated, and also a vehicle with such a door.

Description

Mobile phone handsfree kit for use in a vehicle

The present invention relates to an handsfree kit for mobile phones for use in a vehicle. More specifically, it relates to a handsfree kit that is easy to install in a car without requiring extensive and possibly irreversible modifications to the car and long wiring. The present invention particularly relates to a handsfree car kit for mobile phones with wireless connection capability. Finally it relates to an automobile door equipped with such a hands-free kit and to an automobile having such a door.

As mobile phones have become very popular, the desire has aroused to use such devices in a vehicle environment. As usually the vehicles driver is the main user of the mobile phone, the necessity exists to operate the mobile phone in a kind of handsfree mode. To minimize the risks of using a phone during driving that are mainly due to the distraction caused by operating a phone while at the same time controlling the car, different handsfree kits have been designed. There are rather simple mechanical holders, whose only purpose is to place the mobile terminal in an optimal position to the driver.

US 5,471,530 describes a cellular phone retaining rack for a car. This external rack, that is used to operate the phone in a kind of handsfree manner, is a simple mainly mechanical holder with a pivot arm for bringing the phone in a position to be operated and the phones microphone in range to pick up speech. The device is clamped between the window glass and the doorframe and uses a pickup microphone to relay the phones audio to a speaker connected to the rack. It is not possible to install this device hidden from view, and the phone is operated completely with its own controls and its own microphone. So this is a very complicated but not very effective approach.

More sophisticated devices utilize certain internal car systems like the audio system. The speakers of the audio system may so be used for playback purposes. But those devices are usually expensive and the installation requires great efforts. While the average lifespan of a car may be about 10 years or more, typical product cycles of mobile terminals are much shorter, at best about 1-3 years. Buying a new mobile phone from the same manufacturer or even from a different manufacturer will most certainly lead to the necessity of purchasing and installing a new handsfree kit. That is because such kits, the more sophisticated, the more likely, are adapted to both the corresponding mobile phone and the respective car. So a new mobile phone will possibly not fit to an already installed kit. Since the costs of such a kit, especially the installation costs and the corresponding efforts are considerably high, installing a new kit will not be easily accepted by a user. That is because of the necessary adaptations, e.g. providing a power supply connection or connections with the cars audio system, and cutting out cavities in the instrument panel or center console. This consumes considerable amounts of time and may require irreversible changes to the cars interior. At best the cars audio system, e.g. a cd-receiver or the like, has to be temporarily deinstalled, to install conventional handsfree kits and make the necessary cable connections. External components like control elements are evenly complicated to install.

Therefore the need exists for an automotive handsfree kit for mobile phones that may easily be installed in a car without requiring much effort, and without irreversible changes to the cars interior.

The object of the present invention is to provide such a handsfree kit, which is also less expensive than conventional kits, so that eventual replacements after purchasing a new mobile phone will be accepted by a customer.

According to one aspect of the present invention a mobile phone handsfree kit for use in a vehicle is provided. The kit comprises a main module, a control unit connectable with said main module , said control unit being operable by a user, a microphone connectable with said main module, a power connector adapted to provide power to the main module and a connection component adapted to connect the main module with a mobile phone. The main module is adapted for being installed inside a cavity of a vehicle door, the power connector is adapted to be supplied with power by an electrical interface system mounted in the vehicle door, and a relay is provided which is connectable with an audio output of an audio system and a speaker , wherein the relay is adapted to connect the speaker either with the audio output or with the main module, the connection between the speaker and the main module being made while a call is made with the mobile phone. Such a kit has the advantage to be able to use already present systems for connection, particularly the speaker and power connection, to avoid extensive additional cabling. It can easily be installed without much effort or long wiring and is thus less expensive with regard to total costs. Finally a user can easily replace or dismount it.

It is preferred that the control unit comprises the microphone or is at least connected with said microphone. Further, it is preferred that the relay is part of the main module, although it may be a separate unit. Further it is preferred that the speaker is mounted in the vehicle door or in the close vicinity or at least in the environment of the vehicle door.

It is preferred that the connection component is adapted for wireless connection to the mobile phone. Thus the only needed external part of the kit is the control unit, everything else can be kept hidden inside the mounting cavity and behind the door cover. Therefore the installed kit does not interfere with the car interiors design. The wireless connection can for example be an infra-red connection or a wireless network connection.

It is preferred that the wireless connection component is a bluetooth transceiver. Bluetooth is a widely accepted wireless technology providing superior capabilities and compatibility.

It is preferred that the electrical interface system comprises an electrical window system. As most new cars comprise such a system, power can easily be provided by it. No additional cabling is required to supply the handsfree kit.

It is preferred that the electrical interface system comprises an electrical rear-view mirror. This is another possible alternative for an electrical interface system common in modern cars.

It is preferred that the electrical interface system comprises an electrical door locking system. This is another alternative power source.

It is preferred that the main module is waterproof. As the car doors are usually not sealed against water, this is necessary to protect the kit against corrosion and the like.

It is preferred that the main module comprises means for mounting the main module inside the cavity of the vehicle door. These means are selected from the group consisting of magnetic means, adhesive means and clamping means. All of these provide fast and easy means to safely attach the handsfree kit, while at the same time being easy to remove when the kit is replaced.

It is preferred that the main module is adapted to detect if a vehicle door is opened and to activate an alarm using the speaker if no authorized mobile phone is connected within a predetermined time interval after the vehicle door has been opened. This provides a simple but convenient alarm system. Detection of the door being opened can be achieved by a direct connection to the door locking system as described before.

According to a second aspect of the present invention a vehicle door is provided, comprising an electrical interface system and a speaker and at least one cavity built in a wall of the vehicle door. The wall preferably is an inner wall, but may be an outer wall of the door. A handsfree kit according to the aforementioned is mounted in the cavity, and the power connector of the kit is connected with the electrical interface system. Preferably the speaker is mounted in said vehicle door. Such a vehicle door can be produced easily and thereby cost can be saved, while providing all the advantages of a handsfree kit installation as described before.

The vehicle door may comprise all preferred embodiments of the aforementioned handfree kit.

It is preferred that the electrical interface system mounted in the door comprises an electrical door locking system. This is a common comfort feature of modern cars and also provides a possibility to connect the handsfree kit to the locking system to avoid additional wiring.

It is preferred that the electrical interface system comprises an electrical window system. This provides an alternative comfort system with the same advantage as described above.

It is preferred that the electrical interface system comprises an electrical rear-view mirror. This is just another comfortable electric system also providing power for the handsfree kit installation.

According to a third aspect of the present invention a vehicle is provided, comprising an electrical power source and an audio system with an audio output. The vehicle comprises a vehicle door according to the aforementioned embodiment. The electrical interface system of the vehicle door is connected with the electrical power source and the kit is connected with the audio output. The kit is provided with power through the electrical interface system without long wiring, and the handsfree kit is enabled to automatically disconnect the audio output of the audio system and the speaker, to connect the speaker with the main module to provide a handsfree operation mode. A vehicle with such an integrated handsfree kit is cheap to produce, but offers the advantages described earlier.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a preferred installation arrangement;

Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the main module of the invention and its connections to other components; and

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the invention.

There are mainly three problems associated with installing a handsfree kit into a car. First of course is to find a location to install the main module itself, and eventually external controls. To avoid long wiring, this has to be a place somewhere central to connect the module with the cars systems. Depending on the size of the kits main module this can be complicated, because usually the space in glove box, center console and instrument panel is limited, and most users will not sacrifice that space without need. Second is the necessary connection to the cars audio system, e.g. the speakers, eventually through a data bus of the car. Conventionally this is done on the car radio/cd-player or the like, which is typically mounted in the center console. Thus the kit must be installed somewhere near the audio system, to keep the wiring as short as possible. Last but not least the kit has to be connected with the cars electrical system, for being supplied with the needed power. So again a place somewhere close to the audio system will be typically used, because power can be received from there. But as openings are typically not provided for installing the kit, cavities may have to be cut out of the center console. That is labor-intensive, and thus expensive, also it means a permanent damage if the kit is later removed and not replaced by a module identical in size. The wireless capabilities of modern mobile phones in principal offer the possibility to place the handsfree kit somewhere hidden and almost everywhere in a car. However, the necessary connections to power and the cars speakers must still be provided, so these restrictions can make such an advantage useless.

The inventive handsfree kit can particularly take advantage of the wireless connection capability of newer mobile phones, e.g. bluetooth. Because of that the position of the mobile phone in the car is mainly irrelevant. It is not necessary to have a holder of some kind, the phone may just be put somewhere suitable, in the glove box or in a side pocket of the doors or the like. However, a simple mechanical holder can be provided, mainly in order to enable the user to quickly access the phone, to use advanced functions.

If the respective phone does not provide a wireless connection, a holder has to be provided also for electrical, i.e. data connection with the phone. Such a holder can be placed somewhere in the car, but it is preferably located on the cars door. That way additional cables are not required, or at least will not have to be lead from the door to the holder somewhere across the passenger compartment. Since most cars will already provide some kind of door pockets, such a holder can easily be implemented to fit into such a pocket. In that location the phone will also readily be accessible if necessary.

Either way, such a holder can be provided with charging capability. A door mounted holder can easily be provided with the necessary power from the handsfree kit module. An independent external holder for mobile phones with wireless connection to the handsfree kit may for example be mounted on the center console and receive its power from the cigarette lighter.

The microphone is an external part of the inventive handsfree kit that is always necessary. It is therefore advantageously to combine the necessary controls with it. A multifunction button will preferably be used for that purpose. This button will be used to operate basic functions, mainly taking/ending calls or redialing/calling back and adjusting the volume. Advanced functionality of the phone, access to the addressbook, entering a number to dial or the like, will still be operated using the phones own controls. The microphone/button of the control unit will preferably be placed on the door inside of the lateral rear- view mirror, where it is in a good position to pick up speech and to be easily reached by the user. Optionally it can comprise an LED or the like, to silently signal incoming calls. The power required for the handsfree kit module can be received from systems very common in today's automobiles that are mounted in the door. That is the electrical door locking system, the electrical window or also for example an electrically adjustable/heated rear-view mirror. The main module of the inventive handsfree kit can be connected with the power supply lines of either of those systems, provided a constant independent power supply can be ensured. It is not necessary to have power available all the time, but it must at least be present while the car is being used. The above mentioned electrical devices usually have a power supply that is working at least while the ignition is turned on, mostly there will be even a permanent power connection to the cars battery somewhere in the door.

All usual car doors already provide at least some openings or cavities to install the main module of the present invention in there. For example in the space to receive the mechanic of the cars windows. Usually there are openings provided for performing maintenance. The inventive module can be made so small or flat as to easily fit into such cavities. It can be fixed therein by various known means, like magnetic attachment, mechanical clips/clamps, adhesive tape or the like. Thus it can be ensured that the handsfree kit can easily be installed, without using tools, after removing the door cover. Screws or the like may also be used, but require the use of tools and may cause damage to the cars door if holes have to be drilled for them. The module must of course be protected against water, because usually car doors are not sealed completely against incoming water. That is a main difference to conventional kits, that do not require such protection because of their differing installation location.

As there usually also is at least one speaker of the cars audio system mounted in the door, such a speaker can according to the invention be used for handsfree audio playback. The speaker and its audio lines can be connected with the main module of the inventive kit, wherein a relay takes care of switching the speaker between the either the audio system or the handsfree kit. So it is not even necessary for the cars audio system to be turned on, because the speaker will be driven by the handsfree kit when in handsfree audio mode. If the audio system is turned on and playing, the relay will switch the speaker to be used for the handsfree audio if a call comes in. The user has to take care himself to turn off or mute the audio system, as all other speakers will still be playing. As the user can simple turn off the audio system without affecting the incoming call, because of the above described relay, this is only a small inconvenience. In fig. 1 a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The shown door 1 (here with cover removed) of a car according to the invention comprises a handsfree kit. The main elements of the car door 1 are an electrical door locking system 8, a speaker 4 belonging to an audio system (not shown), a cavity 12 for maintenance of the door mechanics, and optionally an electrically powered window motor 10. Usually every car door 1 provides at least one cavity 12 or the like, and a main module 2 of the inventive handsfree kit is installed therein, fixed by various known means, like a clamp 22 as shown here. The main module 2 can be made quite small, so as to fit easily in a cavity 12, while at the same time not blocking the window lifting or the door locking mechanism. The necessary power can be received from the electrical door locking system 8, which is a very common feature in present cars. The same holds true for electrically powered windows, so that power may alternatively be received from the corresponding motor 10. The main module 2 is connected with the speaker 4, to enable using it for handsfree audio playback. In order to use the speaker for either the internal audio system of the car, or for handsfree purposes, the main module 2 also has to be connected with the audio output (not shown) normally connected to the speaker. Then, a simple relay (not shown) can switch the speaker between the two sources audio system and main module 2, respectively. That way, no cables running from the door 1 to the audio system are necessary. The only external component of the inventive handsfree kit is a control unit 6. This unit preferably comprises the microphone for picking up speech, and also a multifunction button for controlling basic function of the mobile phone. Such functions could be taking or ending calls, calling back and adjusting the volume of the audio output. As shown here, this control unit 6 is preferably mounted in a position just inside the lateral rear-view mirror, where it is in a good position for the user to be operated, and to pick up speech. Also possible is a suitable position on the window glass, near the driver or user. The cable connection between unit 6 and main module 2 has to be run through the door 1 and the door cover somehow. As this does only require a small wiring, it will not be difficult to find some opening already present to run the cable through, without drilling a hole. A component that is optional, depending on the type of mobile phone to connect with, is not shown here. That is a mobile phone socket for directly connecting main module 2 and the mobile phone, in case the respective mobile phone does not provide bluetooth or other wireless capabilities. In case such a socket is needed, also a charging function can be integrated therein, to keep the phones battery loaded. Fig. 2 shows a main module 2 of the present invention and its connections to other components. Electrical power is supplied by a power source 14. The power source 14 can be an electrical door locking system or an electrical window motor for example. The main module 2 is supplied with power by a power connector 24 connected to the power source 14. Connection with a mobile phone is handled by a bluetooth transceiver 26. The main module 2 is controlled by an external control unit 6, comprising a multifunction control button and a microphone for picking up speech. The button can be used to take or end calls and to adjust the volume of the handsfree audio playback. Control unit 6 is the only required external component, others are just optional, particularly a connection socket with a mobile phone without wireless capability. The main module connects to an audio output 16 of the cars audio system, and a speaker 4 being part of the audio system. Thus a relay 18 can switch the speaker from audio system output 16 to handsfree audio, i.e. being driven by the main module 2. When the user takes an incoming call, the connection between audio output 16 and speaker 4 is disconnected and the speaker 4 is connected with the main modules audio output 20, to serve for handsfree audio playback. The main module 2 may be fixed in a door cavity by various known means, magnetic or adhesive for example. In this figure, a mechanical clamp 22 is shown, which is another possible mounting device.

In fig. 3 a car 28 according to the invention is shown. This figure is a view from outside, the components of the handsfree kit are schematically shown and are located on the inside of a door 1 of the car. Here the preferred position of a control unit 6 comprising a microphone can be seen in relation to the rear-view mirror. For all other elements in this figure please refer to the description of figures 1 and 2.

Preferably the connection with the mobile phone will be handled by a bluetooth wireless transceiver using the bluetooth handsfree profile. The transceiver can be part of the main module, as depicted in figure 2. Or it can also be integrated into the control unit. With the preferred wireless connection a holder for the mobile phone is not required. The phone could simply be put in the glove box or a side pocket in a door. That way no installation of a holder is necessary. However it can be convenient to provide a simple mechanical holder that can be placed where suitable, for the mobile phone to be comfortably accessible if more than the basic functions controlled by the control unit shall be operated.

However, the present invention is not limited to the use with wireless connections. A socket for connecting with a mobile phone without bluetooth or the like can be provided. In a simple case a flexible cable with a plug for a bottom connector of a mobile phone could be used, the phone could then for example simply be placed into a side pocket of the cars door. If a fixed socket for receiving the phone is used, it can in principle be installed everywhere in the car, as long as it is connected with the main module. However, most preferably it will be installed somewhere on the cover of the car door where the main module is installed, to avoid cables running through the passenger compartment of the car. Also in this case it will be possible and convenient to place the socket on or in a side pocket of the door, where the phone is in a good position for being operated if needed.

It may even be useful to use an external holder for the mobile phone without a direct cable connection to the main module, in case the holder itself can provide bluetooth functionality to connect with the main module. That way the main module can already be used with a phone without bluetooth, while the users next phone might be equipped with that feature, so that the main module could stay in place without replacement. Thus only the holder will eventually have to be replaced, which is still far easier and less expensive than replacing the whole kit.

While it is preferred that the inventive handsfree kit be installed in the drivers door, the present invention is in no way restricted to that installation location. It may in the same way be installed in other doors where it seems suitable, provided the necessary power and speaker/audio connections are present in the door, and the external control unit may be placed somewhere suitable. Because of the speaker that should be as close as possible to the user of the handsfree kit, it will usually be installed in the door of the passenger most frequently using the respective phone, hi rare cases it might even seem useful to install more than one of the inventive handsfree kits in the same vehicle. Because of the independent design this is also possible and there are no technical restrictions not to use more than one kit at the same time.

The inventive handsfree kit can comprise the following elements. The main module is the essential part, comprising connection sockets for power supply, the speaker and the audio system output lines, the microphone/button of the control unit, and possibly connections for a mobile phone holder. The other parts are external elements, that is the mentioned control unit and optionally a holder. So at least for the control unit a possibility must be provided to connect the external unit with the internal main module. Because of the small necessary cable this will not be difficult to achieve, most cars will already have some opemng to lead the cable through, without drilling. The microphone will preferably be placed on the door left of the steering wheel, just inside of the left rear- view mirror, so that it is in an optimal position for picking up speech.

With bluetooth enabled phones the invention may provide an additional feature. If the power is received from the electrical door locking system, a security feature may be integrated. After the handsfree kit detects that a door is opened, though the connection with the locking system, it will try for a predetermined amount of time to establish a connection with the users phone, using the corresponding bluetooth functionality. If no connection with an authorized mobile phone is established within the time interval, an alarm can be triggered, preferably using the connected speaker. This solution alone cannot provide the same security as complete alarm systems, and thus replace them, but it can though increase security. In combination with a conventional alarm system it can further be used to deactivate the alarm after an authorized phone has been connected by bluetooth, without further user interaction. It can thus provide a little improvement in user comfort.

Claims

1. Mobile phone handsfree kit for use in a vehicle, comprising: a main module (2); - a control unit (6) connectable with said main module (2), said control unit being operable by a user; a microphone connectable with said main module; a power connector (24) adapted to provide power to said main module (2); and a connection component (26) adapted to connect said main module (2) with a mobile phone; characterized in that said main module (2) is adapted for being installed inside a cavity (12) of a vehicle door (1), said power connector (24) is adapted to be supplied with power by an electrical interface system (14) mounted in said vehicle door (1), and a relay (18) is provided which is connectable with an audio output (16) of an audio system and a speaker (4) , wherein said relay (18) is adapted to connect said speaker (4) either with said audio output (16) or with said main module (2), the connection between said speaker (4) and said main module (2) being made while a call is operated with said mobile phone.

2. Mobile phone handsfree kit for use in a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein said connection component (26) is adapted for wireless connection to said mobile phone.

3. Mobile phone handsfree kit for use in a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein said wireless connection component is a bluetooth transceiver.

4. Mobile phone handsfree kit for use in a vehicle according to anyone of claims 1 to 3, wherein said electrical interface system (14) comprises an electrical window system (10).

5. Mobile phone handsfree kit for use in a vehicle according to anyone of claims 1 to 3, wherein said electrical interface system (14) comprises an electrical rear- view mirror.

6. Mobile phone handsfree kit for use in a vehicle according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein said electrical interface system (14) comprises an electrical door locking system (8).

7. Mobile phone handsfree kit for use in a vehicle according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein said main module (2) is waterproof.

8. Mobile phone handsfree kit for use in a vehicle according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein said main module (2) comprises means for mounting said main module (2) inside said cavity (12) of said vehicle door (1), said means being selected from the group consisting of magnetic means, adhesive means and clamping means (22).

9. Mobile phone handsfree kit for use in a vehicle according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein said main module (2) is adapted to detect if a vehicle door (1) is opened and to activate an alarm using said speaker (4) if no authorized mobile phone is connected within a predetermined time interval after said vehicle door (1) has been opened.

10. Vehicle door (1) comprising an electrical interface system, a speaker (4) and at least one cavity (12) built in a wall of said vehicle door (1), characterized in that a handsfree kit according to anyone of claims 1 to 9 is mounted in said cavity, the power connector (24) of said kit being connected with said electrical interface system (8, 10, 14).

11. Vehicle door (1) according to claim 10, wherein said electrical interface system (14) comprises an electrical door locking system (8).

12. Vehicle door (1) according to claim 10, wherein said electrical interface system (14) comprises an electrical window system (10).

13. Vehicle door (1) according to claim 10, wherein said electrical interface system (14) comprises an electrical rear-view minor.

14. Vehicle comprising an electrical power source and an audio system with an audio output (16), comprising a vehicle door (1) according to anyone of claims 10 to 13, wherein said electrical interface system of said vehicle door (1) is connected with said electrical power source and said kit is connected with said audio output (16).