Cellular phone with integrated FM radio and remote low noise amplifier

Abstract

A remote device comprises a frequency modulated (FM) tuner that communicates with an antenna and that tunes an FM frequency. A wireless transceiver transmits wireless signals to a remote cellular phone based on FM signals received at the FM frequency.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a functional block diagram of an exemplary FM receiver according to the prior art;

FIG. 1B is a functional block diagram of a second exemplary FM receiver according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a cellular phone system including an exemplary remote device and an exemplary cellular phone according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a functional block diagram of a headset according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a functional block diagram of earbuds according to the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate articles of clothing that incorporate the remote device according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a more detailed functional block diagram of the cellular phone system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of an alternate cellular phone system;

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of another alternate cellular phone system; and

FIG. 8 is a logic flow diagram illustrating a method of operating a cellular phone system.

Claims

1. A remote device comprising: a frequency modulated (FM) tuner that communicates with an antenna and that tunes an FM frequency; anda wireless transceiver that transmits wireless signals to a remote cellular phone based on FM signals received at said FM frequency.

2. The remote device of claim 1 wherein said first wireless transceiver receives FM tuning data from said remote cellular phone and adjusts said FM tuner based on said FM tuning data.

3. The remote device of claim 1 further comprising: a first antenna that communicates with said FM tuner and receives said RF signals; anda second antenna that communicates with said first wireless transceiver and transmits said wireless signals.

4. The remote device of claim 1 wherein said first wireless transceiver includes a Bluetooth interface.

5. The remote device of claim 1 further comprising: an amplifier that amplifies signals at said tuned RF frequency;a mixer that mixes said signals to said IF signals, wherein said first wireless transceiver transmits said IF signals to said remote cellular phone and receives processed FM signals from said remote cellular phone; andan amplifier that generates amplified audio signals based on said processed FM signals.

6. The remote device of claim 1 further comprising: A first amplifier that amplifies RF signals at said tuned RF frequency;an intermediate frequency (IF) mixer that mixes said RF signals to IF signals;a BB mixer that mixes said IF signals to BB signals,wherein said wireless transceiver transmits said BB signals to said remote cellular phone and receives processed FM signals from said remote cellular phone; anda second amplifier that generates amplified audio signals based on said processed FM signals.

7. The remote device of claim 1 further comprising: a tuner that tunes an RF frequency;a first amplifier that amplifies signals at said tuned RF frequency, wherein said wireless transceiver transmits said RF signals to said remote cellular phone and receives processed FM signals from said remote cellular phone; anda second amplifier that generates amplified audio signals based on said processed FM signals.

8. A headset comprising the remote device of claim 5 and further comprising speakers that output said amplified audio signals.

9. The headset of claim 8 further comprising a conductor that connects said remote device to said speakers, wherein said antenna extends adjacent to said conductor.

10. A headset comprising the remote device of claim 6 and further comprising speakers that output said amplified audio signals.

11. The headset of claim 10 further comprising a conductor that connects said remote device to said speakers, wherein said antenna extends adjacent to said conductor.

12. A headset comprising the remote device of claim 7 and further comprising speakers that output said amplified audio signals.

13. The headset of claim 12 further comprising a conductor that connects said remote device to said speakers, wherein said antenna extends adjacent to said conductor.

14. An article of clothing comprising the remote device of claim 5 and further comprising a speaker that outputs said amplified audio signals.

15. An article of clothing comprising the remote device of claim 6 and further comprising a speaker that outputs said amplified audio signals.

16. An article of clothing comprising the remote device of claim 7 and further comprising a speaker that outputs said amplified audio signals.

17. A system comprising the remote device of claim 5 and further comprising speakers that output said amplified audio signals.

18. The system of claim 17 further comprising a conductor that connects said remote device to said speakers, wherein said antenna extends adjacent to said conductor.

19. A system comprising the remote device of claim 6 and further comprising earbuds that output said amplified audio signals.

20. The system of claim 19 further comprising a conductor that connects said remote device to said earbuds, wherein said antenna extends adjacent to said conductor.

21. A system comprising the remote device of claim 7 and further comprising earbuds that output said amplified audio signals.

22. The system of claim 21 further comprising a conductor that connects said remote device to said earbuds, wherein said antenna extends adjacent to said conductor.

23. A communication method comprising: communicating with an antenna and tuning an FM frequency via a frequency modulated (FM) tuner; andtransmitting wireless signals to a remote cellular phone based on FM signals received at said FM frequency via a wireless transceiver.

24. The communication method of claim 23 receiving FM tuning data from said remote cellular phone and adjusting said FM tuner based on said FM tuning data.

25. The communication method of claim 23 further comprising: communicating with said FM tuner and receiving said RF signals via a first antenna; andcommunicating with said first wireless transceiver and transmitting said wireless signals via a second antenna.

26. The communication method of claim 23 further comprising: amplifying signals at said tuned RF frequency;mixing said signals to generate said IF signals;transmitting said IF signals to said remote cellular phone and receiving processed FM signals from said remote cellular phone; andgenerating amplified audio signals based on said processed FM signals.

27. The communication method of claim 23 further comprising: amplifying RF signals at said tuned RF frequency;mixing said RF signals to generate IF signals;mixing said IF signals to generate BB signals,transmitting said BB signals to said remote cellular phone and receiving processed FM signals from said remote cellular phone; andgenerating amplified audio signals based on said processed FM signals.

28. The communication method of claim 23 further comprising: tuning an RF frequency;amplifying signals at said tuned RF frequency,transmitting said RF signals to said remote cellular phone and receiving processed FM signals from said remote cellular phone; andgenerating amplified audio signals based on said processed FM signals.

29. The communication method of claim 27 further comprising outputting said amplified audio signals.

30. The communication method of claim 28 further comprising outputting said amplified audio signals.

31. The communication method of claim 29 further comprising outputting said amplified audio signals.