An apparatus for adapting a mobile phone for VHF radio communications

Field of the Invention

The present invention is concerned with providing reliable communications for a mobile phone operating in the marine environment.

Background to the Invention

It has been observed that a number of marine users are depending on their mobile phone as their sole means of communication when out on the water. This is particularly true for the occasional marine user, who is reluctant to invest in a dedicated VHF radio when their use may rarely, if ever, become necessary. While waterproof casings are available which prevent a mobile phone from suffering water damage, such casings do not obviate the other potential risks which are associated with the use of a mobile phone in the place of a VHF radio at sea. In particular, it will be appreciated that a mobile phone's signal can be extremely unreliable and temperamental when in the water. It is also not possible for a coast guard to track mobile phone signals in the event of an emergency. Furthermore, mobile phones do not have the functionality to issue a distress call which can be heard by surrounding vessels, as can be performed on a VHF radio.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and an associated application for a mobile phone which overcomes the above mentioned problems of mobile phone use at sea.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides an apparatus for adapting a mobile device to communicate over the VHF radio signal range upon activation of an associated software application resident on the mobile device comprising:

a housing for a mobile device;

a VHF radio antenna embedded in the housing; and at least one coupling means attached to the housing for connecting a mobile device inserted in the housing to the VHF radio antenna.

By embedding a VHF radio antenna in the housing, a mobile phone may communicate over the VHF radio signal range when inserted in the housing and the software application resident on the mobile phone is activated.

Preferably, the at least one coupling means is adapted to pass signals between a mobile device inserted in the housing and the VHF radio antenna.

Audio signals received by the microphone of a mobile phone inserted in the housing can thus be transmitted by the VHF radio antenna, while VHF radio signals received by the VHF radio antenna can be transmitted as audio signals through the speakers of the mobile phone.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises radio transceiver circuitry embedded in the housing and connected to the VHF radio antenna, wherein signals are passed between the coupling means and the VHF radio antenna via the radio transceiver circuitry.

This radio transceiver circuitry enables the processing of signals received by or transmitted to the VHF radio antenna.

The apparatus may further comprise a power source embedded in the housing and connected to the VHF radio antenna.

The power source enables a mobile phone to reach the required VHF radio band as well as to be recharged at any time. The apparatus may further comprise a connecting means attached to the radio transceiver circuitry and the power source, wherein the connecting means is adapted to mate with an accessory port and a power port of a mobile device inserted in the housing. The connecting means may comprise a serial pin connector.

Preferably, the housing comprises a main body and a clamping means, wherein the clamping means is moveable relative to the main body.

The clamping means may be moveable between a receiving position, in which position the clamping means is located so that a mobile device can be inserted into the housing, and a sealed position, in which position the housing is sealed by the clamping means.

Preferably, the main body is provided with a slot, wherein the slot is adapted for receiving a mobile device into the housing when the clamping means is in the receiving position.

The clamping means may comprise a pair of clamping members pivotably mounted to the main body such that the clamping members are pivoted in opposing directions away from the slot so as to leave the slot exposed for movement into the receiving position, and the clamping members are pivoted towards each other until their surfaces are flush with one another and the slot is fully covered by the clamping members for movement into the sealed position.

The clamping members may be provided with at least one fastening means to secure the clamping members when in the sealed position.

The housing may comprise a transparent window for viewing the display of a mobile device inserted into the housing.

Preferably, the apparatus is impermeable.

The apparatus may further comprise an impermeable membrane attached to the housing.

This ensures that a mobile phone inserted in the housing is completely watertight. The present invention also provides a casing for adapting a mobile phone to communicate over the VHF radio signal range, the casing comprising a VHF radio antenna.

The present invention also provides a software application downloadable for execution on a mobile device, the software application adapted to enable a mobile device to communicate with the apparatus. Upon activation of the application, a mobile phone inserted in the apparatus is adapted for VHF radio communications. In addition, the application may provide useful additional features for the marine environment.

There is also provided a computer program comprising program instructions for causing a computer program to carry out the above method which may be embodied on a record medium, carrier signal or read-only memory.

The present invention also provides a system comprising:

the apparatus of the invention ; and

the software application of the invention, wherein the software application may further comprise:

means for relaying audio signals received by the microphone of a mobile device inserted in the housing to the coupling means as electronic signals;

means for relaying electronic signals received from the coupling means to the speakers of a mobile device inserted in the housing as audio signals; and means for sending control signals for the radio transceiver circuitry from a mobile device inserted in the housing to the connecting means.

The software application may further comprise a user interface for selecting a VHF radio channel of the radio transceiver circuitry. The user interface may further comprise one or more of the features of: weather mapping, tracking, GPS, news feeds, marine warnings, first aid advice, VHF license information, and access to an online store. Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of the apparatus of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1 when in the receiving position and a mobile phone is being inserted into the apparatus;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1 when in the receiving position;

Figure 5 is a screenshot of the application associated with the apparatus, showing the channel selection feature;

Figure 6 is a screenshot of the application associated with the apparatus showing the features which can be activated in the case of an emergency;

Figure 7 is a screenshot of the application associated with the apparatus showing the application settings; and

Figure 8 is a screenshot of the application associated with the apparatus showing the application store.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

The apparatus of present invention enables a mobile device such as a mobile phone to communicate over the VHF radio signal range when activated by means of an associated software application of the present invention resident on the mobile phone. Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the apparatus 1 comprises a housing or casing 2 for a mobile phone 3 and a VHF radio antenna 4 embedded in the casing 2. A coupling means, which in this embodiment comprises a 3.5mm headphone jack 5, is attached to the casing 2 to provide a connection between a mobile phone 3 inserted in the casing 2 and the antenna 4. In particular, jack 5 enables audio signals to pass between the mobile phone 3 and the antenna 4. The jack 5 may also facilitate volume control and act as a switch in a similar manner to that provided by conventional headphones when connected to a mobile phone, with such functionality being activated through buttons located on the casing 2 (not shown).

Antenna 4 is further connected to a power source 7 and radio transceiver circuitry 8, which are also embedded in the casing 2. The power source 7, namely a lithium-ion battery, has dual functionality. Firstly, it enables a mobile phone 3 to reach the required VHF radio band, which is typically 156MHz. In addition, it enables a mobile phone 3 to be recharged at any time. Radio transceiver circuitry 8 comprises a radio transmitter and a radio receiver, and includes circuitry adapted to change the channel (frequency) of electromagnetic signals transmitted and received by the antenna 4 to the required VHF radio channel.

A connecting means in the form of a 30 pin connector 6 facilitates the coupling between a mobile phone 3 inserted in the casing 2 and the power source 7 and radio transceiver circuitry 8. The serial ports 10 on the free end of connector 6 enable the connector 6 to mate with the power and accessory ports of the mobile phone 3, while a conductor 9 on the other end of the connector 6 is attached to the casing 2, so as to complete the path from the connector 6 to the power source 7 and radio transceiver circuitry 8.

The casing 2 comprises a main body 12 and a clamping means in the form of a pair of clamping members 13a, 13b. The casing 2 is impermeable and shock proof, and dimensioned to receive a mobile phone 3 through a slot 14 located at one end of the main body 12. A transparent window 1 1 enables the display of a mobile phone 3 to be viewed when a mobile phone 3 is inserted therein. The clamping members 13 are mounted over the slot 14 in the main body 12, and are moveable relative to the main body 12 between a receiving position and a sealed position. In the receiving position, the clamping members 13 are located so that they do not cover the slot 14 in order that a mobile phone 3 can be inserted into the casing 2 through the exposed slot 14, while in the sealed position the clamping members 13 cover the slot 14 so as to provide a watertight seal for a mobile phone 3 inserted within the casing 2. This watertight seal is provided by an impermeable membrane welded to the inner surface of the main body 12 (not shown). The clamping members 13 may be secured in the sealed position by a fastening means, namely a pair of keys or screws 15a, 15b. The clamping members 13 can be secured by extending each screw 15 through corresponding apertures spaced apart on both of the clamping members 13 (not shown).

Prior to using the apparatus to enable a mobile phone to communicate over the VHF radio signal range, the clamping members 13 must first be moved into their receiving position to enable insertion of a mobile phone 3 into the apparatus 1 . This is achieved by pivoting clamping member 13a and clamping member 13b in opposing directions away from the slot 14, so as to leave the slot 14 exposed. A mobile phone 3 can then be inserted into the casing 2 by sliding the phone 3 through slot 14 until the phone's display is visible through the transparent window 1 1 . The mobile phone should then be coupled to the jack 5, so that any audio signals received from the microphone of the phone 3 can be transmitted to the VHF radio antenna 4 via the jack 5, and vice versa. In addition, connector 6 must be attached to the output ports of the mobile phone 3. This results in a power port of the mobile phone 3 being coupled to the power source 7, while an accessory port of the mobile phone 3 is coupled to the radio transceiver circuitry 8.

Once the mobile phone 3 is connected to both the jack 5 and the connector 6, the clamping members 13 should be moved into their sealed position. This is performed by pivoting clamping member 13a and clamping member 13b towards each other until their surfaces are flush with one another, in which position slot 14 is fully covered by the clamping members 13. The clamping members 13 can then be secured into the sealed position by extending each screw 15 through the pair of corresponding apertures in the clamping members 13, and rotating it until tight. In this position, the casing 2 provides a watertight seal to the mobile phone 3, and the mobile phone is now ready to communicate over the VHF radio signal range.

When it is desired for the mobile phone 3 to communicate over the VHF radio signal range, an associated software application of the present invention resident on the mobile phone should be launched or activated. This software application can be downloaded to the mobile phone through any of the usual means known to a person skilled on the art. At a minimum, the application provides the necessary control interface for a user of the mobile phone 3 to engage in VHF radio communications via the casing 2. For example, the application is adapted to relay audio signals received by the microphone of the mobile phone 3 live through the jack 5 as electronic signals to the radio transmitter in the radio transceiver circuitry 8. The radio transceiver circuitry 8 then processes the electronic signals for sending to antenna 4 for transmission as VHF radio signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Conversely, when receiving VHF radio signals, the antenna 4 sends the signals received by the radio receiver to the radio transceiver circuitry 8. The radio transceiver circuitry 8 then processes the signals into electronic signals and sends these signals to the jack 5 as a microphone input. The application is adapted to take this input and relay it through the speakers of the mobile phone 3 as audio signals.

The application also enables the desired VHF radio channel to be selected through the radio transceiver circuitry 8, as shown in Figure 5. When a user selects a channel through the application, the application send control signals to the radio transceiver circuitry 8 through the accessory port of connector 6. Upon receiving the control signals, the radio transceiver circuitry 8 tunes itself to the frequency corresponding to the selected channel. In order for the current to reach the desired VHF radio Hz band, the radio transceiver circuitry 8 takes power from the power source 7 and amplifies the current as necessary. In addition, the application provides various features which can be activated in the event of an emergency, as illustrated in Figure 6. The application may optionally provide various other desirable features and settings, such as those shown in Figure 7. For example, as illustrated in Figure 8, the application could also provide access to a store, where application plug-ins, marine clothing and equipment could be purchased. It will be appreciated that the application could also provide many other features desirable to a user in a marine environment. These could include for example weather mapping, tracking, Global Positioning System, GPS, news feeds, warnings, first aid advice, where to obtain a VHF radio license etc.

It should be noted that even when a mobile phone is sealed within the apparatus and the associated application is launched, the mobile phone can still operate in normal 3G mode. Therefore, the apparatus and its associated application in no way interferes with the phone's in-built antenna. Accordingly, phone calls and text alerts are still active and notifications will still be present.

It will be appreciated that the apparatus and associated application of the present invention provides numerous advantages to the user of a mobile phone in marine environments. Through the use of this apparatus, along with its associated application, a mobile phone may communicate over the VHF radio signal range. This means that a user of a mobile phone can now rest assured of reliable communications while at sea, without the requirement to purchase a separate standalone VHF radio transceiver. In addition, the processing power of the mobile phone enables the application to include useful features for the marine environment which would not be possible to implement in a conventional VHF radio transceiver.

It should be understood that while the present invention has been described in relation to one embodiment shown in the figures, many alternative components could be used in place of those of the described embodiment in order to provide the same functionality. The embodiments in the invention described with reference to the drawings comprise a computer apparatus and/or processes performed in a computer apparatus. However, the invention also extends to computer programs, particularly computer programs stored on or in a carrier adapted to bring the invention into practice. The program may be in the form of source code, object code, or a code intermediate source and object code, such as in partially compiled form or in any other form suitable for use in the implementation of the method according to the invention. The carrier may comprise a storage medium such as ROM, e.g. CD ROM, or magnetic recording medium, e.g. a floppy disk or hard disk. The carrier may be an electrical or optical signal which may be transmitted via an electrical or an optical cable or by radio or other means.

In the specification the terms "comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising" or any variation thereof and the terms include, includes, included and including" or any variation thereof are considered to be totally interchangeable and they should all be afforded the widest possible interpretation and vice versa.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described but may be varied in both construction and detail.