Inductive communication system and method

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to short-range wireless communication systems, and more particularly to systems utilizing inductive coupling.

#2. Discussion of the Related Art

#FIG. 1 illustrates schematically the wireless communication system of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 illustrates a telephone handset as the base unit in the communication system of FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 illustrates a headset that is utilized as the portable device in the communication system of FIG. 1.

#FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a short-range magnetic communication system 1 including a portable device 2 and a base unit 1, which connects to a long-range communication network 14. Contained within each of the base unit 1 and the portable device 2 is a short-range miniaturized magnetic induction transceiver 11, 12, which can simultaneously transmit and receive communications signals 13. These signals may be voice, audio, data, or video. The communications network 14 may be any network in which it would be desirable for these signals to be communicated over a terminal link without wires, such as a telephone network, personal communications, (PCS) network, special mobile radio (SMR) network, computer system or network, and video conferencing systems. The base unit 1 may any part of the communications network 14 from which it would be desirable to communicate to another device without wires; for example, it may be a telephone handset, PCS handset, SMR handset, walkie-talkie, computer or computer peripheral devices, personal digital assistant (PDA), or video game controller. The portable device 2 may be any device from which it would be desirable to communicate without wires to a communications network; for example, it may be a telephone headset or handset, portable computer or computer peripheral device, headphone, or video input device.

#As illustrated in FIG. 2, one example of the base unit 1 is a portable telephone having a plurality of number buttons 15 and a plurality of function buttons 16. A retractable antenna 17 communicates with a cellular telephone network or a cordless telephone base unit. The portable telephone 10 operates in a manner similar to that of an ordinary cellular or cordless telephone handset. Signals are sent to and received from the telephone network in an ordinary manner. The portable telephone 10 includes a transducer system 30 which communicates by magnetic induction with headset 20, which operates as the portable device 2, to provide the outputs and inputs to the portable telephone 10. The portable telephone 10 may also include a mouthpiece or earpiece (not shown) as in a regular telephone handset, allowing the user to choose between a conventional method of operation and a hands-free use afforded by the headset 20.

#The portable device 2 as a headset 20 is illustrated more fully in FIG. 3. It includes a body portion 23 which houses a transducer 40 and processing circuitry. A speaker 22 is connected to the circuitry within the body 23. An earpiece 21 next to the speaker 22 fits in the user's ear to hold the unit in place and to allow the user to hear sounds from the speaker. A microphone boom 24 extends from the body 23 several inches in order to place a microphone 25, located at the end of the boom 24, close to the user's mouth. Alternatively the transducer 40 may be housed in the boom 24. A rechargeable battery 51 is also housed in the body 23 of the headset 20 to provide power to the headset. Other features may be optionally included in the headset 20, such as switcher or buttons for manually activating different modes. For example, a capacitive switch or push-button could be used to cause the headset 20 to transmit a control signal to the portable phone 10 to activate muting of the microphone. The portable phone 10 may include a receptacle 19 for receiving and holding the headset 20. Depositing the headset in the receptacle can provide a variety of functions, in addition to maintaining the headset 20 and portable phone 10 together. A switch can be disposed in the receptacle to terminate the telecommunication when the headset 20 is inserted or initiate the telecommunication when it is removed. The receptacle may also include connections to recharge the battery 51 in the headset 20.