Patent Application
20060153175
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wireless handset, and more particularly, to a wireless handset utilizing Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Accordingly, the present invention can be adapted to communicate with a communications device through the Internet connection of a computer, such as a laptop computer, desktop computer or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Today, information technology provides links to the Internet that enables people to exchange information with each other easily. One result of this is that people have begun to rely on portable electronic devices, and they are now particularly relying on computers.
In the field of communications, though e-mails and instant messaging are very common, conventional communications, such as conversation through the telephone, is preferable for most users. Mobile phones (or cell phones) are convenient, but they may have problems with reception in remote areas. Additionally, the communications systems may be different in different countries, which can create great inconvenience for those users who need to travel often. Moreover, if a user uses a mobile phone to communicate, it is necessary to carry a charger or several batteries for the mobile phone, which is also a source of inconvenience for the user when traveling.
A very convenient and cheap way to communicate is to use VoIP through the Internet. VoIP technology compresses the voice signal into voice data packets and transmits the voice data across an IP network. That is, VoIP uses the Internet to transmit a voice signal using a telecommunications application. The Internet not only provides instant voice services, but it is also available in every corner of the world, which can make it much easier for users to have long distance conversations with VoIP over traditional public switched telephone networks (PSTN).
VoIP technology has undergone development for quite some time, and has achieved a suitable communications quality. However, if a user wants to converse using an embedded speaker and microphone in a computer, the speaker may make it easy for a third party to overhear the conversation, and the microphone is limited by its effective range. The user thus must face the microphone and/or speaker very closely, which may be uncomfortable for the user.
A Bluetooth handset exists on the market, which the user can wear. However, wearing the Bluetooth handset on the ear all the time can be an inconvenience. Female users in particular may find wearing the Bluetooth handset troublesome. When the Bluetooth handset is taken off, it becomes yet another accessory to carry. Normally the Bluetooth handset is quite small so that it may be easily worn. But because it is very small, it is easily lost if there is no fixed place to store it. Also, the distance between the mouth and the microphone of a small sized Bluetooth handset is relatively long, which may interfere with the conversation quality.
A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a wireless handset for voice over Internet protocol (hereinafter abbreviated as “VoIP”), which may be put into an expansion slot of a computer, such as a PCMCIA slot of a laptop computer or a desktop computer. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a re-chargeable VoIP wireless handset for long-use users. A third objective of the present invention is to provide a VoIP wireless handset having that is held in the same manner as a traditional mobile phone.
The present invention provides a VoIP wireless handset that may be inserted into an expansion socket of a computer. The computer can connect to another communication device through the Internet connection of the computer to transmit voice data.
The VoIP wireless handset of the present invention comprises a speaker, a microphone, a printed circuit board, a connector and a case for covering the printed circuit board. The speaker and the microphone are each electronically connected to the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board comprises a processor and a transmission interface. With the transmission interface, voice data can be transmitted between the VoIP wireless handset and the computer. Subsequently, the voice data can be transmitted through the Internet connection of the computer to a communication device located at another site to provide instant communications.
The connector of the VoIP wireless handset according to the present invention is connected electronically to the printed circuit board, and the VoIP wireless handset may be inserted into the expansion socket of the computer to provide an electronic connection. The connector preferably provides a connection between the VoIP wireless handset and the computer and further enables charging of a battery in the VoIP wireless handset.
Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The following descriptions of the preferred embodiments are provided to help understand the features and structure of the present invention.
The present invention, a wireless handset 1 for VoIP (called a VoIP wireless handset 1), as indicated in
With the development of VoIP technology, the computer 2 may be adapted to communicate with a communications device 4 (such as another laptop computer 41 or a desktop computer 42), located at another site, through the Internet 31 to transmit voice data, or with a conventional telephone 43 or mobile phone 44 through a PSTN 32 by way of a service provider.
Referring to
A case 15 is provided, as shown in
As show in
In a preferred embodiment, the VoIP wireless handset 1 according to this invention further comprises a battery 16 electronically connected to the printed circuit board 13. When the VoIP wireless handset 1 is inserted into the expansion slot 22 of the computer 2, the computer 2 may be used to charge the battery 16 through the connector 14. To provide longer operational time, the battery 16 may be a Li battery or a Li-polymer battery.
For those who prefer to use a handset in the traditional manner, as shown in
Alternatively, in another preferred embodiment, with reference to
The user thus doesn't need to bend over in front of the computer 2 to carry on a conversation. Additionally, the present invention prevents conversations from being overheard from use of the speakers of the computer 2. When the microphone portion 152 is opened, as shown in
Referring to
The buttons 17a, 17b, 17c, or 17d are electronically connected to the printed circuit board 13 for the user to input at least an instruction to control operations of the processor 131. For example, the instructions may control turning the wireless handset 1, 6, or 7 on and off, matching signals between the wireless handset 1, 6, or 7 and the computer 2, turning the volume up and down, and/or picking up/hanging up the VoIP wireless handset 1, 6, or 7.
Referring to
Although the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 093221124 | Dec 2004 | TW | national |
