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Patent Searching and Data


Title:
COMMUNICATION DEVICE DOCKING STATION
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2001/082740
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a wrist or arm warn ergonomically designed docking station (2) for use in conjunction with a communication device (10) such as a cellular phone. The communication device (10) preferably includes existing cellular phones forming part of a range or make of model under production by a mobile phone company. More specifically the invention includes a mobile phone designed and manufactured to be used in conjunction with the docking station (2) as a matched pair. Furthermore the docking station may be equipped with functions and electronic circuitry as to provide added functionality when used in conjunction with the communications device.

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Inventors:
FOURIE LOUISE (ZA)
Application Number:
PCT/ZA2000/000078
Publication Date:
November 08, 2001
Filing Date:
April 28, 2000
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
FOURIE LOUISE (ZA)
International Classes:
A45F5/00; H04B1/38; H04M1/04; H04M1/02; (IPC1-7): A45F5/00
Foreign References:
US5889737A1999-03-30
US5433359A1995-07-18
FR2777406A11999-10-15
EP0288676A21988-11-02
EP0782308A11997-07-02
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Von Seidel, Michael (Jan S. de Villiers & Son P.O. Box 199 Stellenbosch, ZA)
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Claims:
CLAIMS
1. 1 A docking station comprising an ergonomically dimensioned member securable to a predetermined part of the body of a user; the station including means adapted to releaseable receive and retain a predetermined communication device in use defining a docked state.
2. A docking station as claimed in claim 1 also including means matched with the communication device and adapted to provide supporting facilities to the latter.
3. A docking station as claimed in claim 3 in which the communication device is electrically operated and the supporting means comprising a battery adapted to provide electrical power to the communication device.
4. A docking station as claimed in any of the previous claims also including secondary means adapted to provide independent facilities for utilization by the wearer in use.
5. A docking station as claimed in claim 4 in which the secondary means comprises monitoring means adapted to monitor body functions of a wearer.
6. A docking station as claimed in any of the preceding claims comprising a series of means each respectively adapted to provide a predetermined facility for use by the user.
7. A docking station as claimed in claim 6 in which one of the series of means comprises an antenna matched with the communication device.
8. A docking station as claimed in claim 6 in which one of the series of means comprises a medical sensor for use in reading metabolismic activity of a wearer.
9. A docking station as claimed in any of the preceding claims adapted to receive a cellular telephone device.
10. A docking station as claimed in any of the claims 3 to 9 including support electronics matched with the communications device adapted to enhance the capabilities of the device.
11. A docking station as claimed in claim 10 including predetermined computer software, stored on a storage component of the support electronics, adapted to interact with the communications device to enhance it's capabilities.
Description:
COMMUNICATION DEVICE DOCKING STATION TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a communications device; in particular a communications device used for bidirectional communications in conjunction with a docking device modified to be securable to a limb of a user. More specifically the invention it relates to a communications device that can locked and un-locked into a slot of a docking station which in turn is functionally attached to a user'wrist or arm BACKGROUND ART With the introduction of mobile communication devices such as cellular phones and its eager acceptance by the world population, there is an existing need to improve the way that they are used and carried around by its users. Furthermore traditional phones are prone to theft and damage. Also cellular technology has advanced much with the devices and electronic technology becoming lighter and more durable. Should one be able to capture mobile communications technology in a device which could be warn on an arm or wrist of a user, poeple would be less prone to damaging their phones or having them lost or stolen. Also should this docking station be modified to both accommodate standard phones of manufacturers as well as specialized phones specifically designed to be used in conjunction with the docking station warn on the user arm it would serve the existing cellular phone user population as well as new users purchasing the combination of cellular phone and the docking station as a set.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a docking station for use in conjunction with a communications device. Furthermore it is an object of the invention to provide a docking station that is worn as a watch or bangle type configuration, and with which the applicant believes disadvantages of known cellular phone pouches and carriers may at least be alleviated.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION According to the first aspect of the invention there is included a docking station comprising an ergonomically dimensioned member securable to a predetermined part of the body of a user; the station including means adapted to releaseable receive and retain a predetermined communication device in use defining a docked state.

Also the docking station may include means matched with the communication device and adapted to provide supporting facilities to the latter.

Furthermore the communication device may be electrically operated and the supporting means may comprise a battery adapted to provide electrical power to the communication . device.

According to the second aspect of the invention the docking station may also include secondary means adapted to provide independent facilities for utilization by the wearer in use and the secondary means may comprise monitoring means adapted to monitor body functions of a wearer.

According to a third aspect of the invention the docking station may comprise a series of means each respectively adapted to provide a predetermined facility for use by the user.

One of the series of means may comprise an antenna matched with the communication device.

Furthermore the series of means may comprise a medical sensor for use in reading metabolismic activity of a wearer.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention the docking station may be adapted to receive a cellular telephone device.

The docking station may also include support electronics matched with the communications device adapted to enhance the capabilities of the device.

According to the final aspect of the invention the docking station may include predetermined computer software, stored on a storage component of the support electronics and adapted to interact with the communications device to enhance it's capabilities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by means of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying diagrams wherein: Figure 1 which is a simplified embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 includes an embodiment illustrating how a communications device such as a cellular phone attaches itself to the docking station; and Figure 3 shows added functions which may be built into the docking station

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Turning to Figure 1 which is a simplified embodiment of the invention 1 including a docking station 2 which is ergonamicly designed as to fit around an arm or wrist of a user 3. The docking station or device 2 may include a preformed module 4 with securing or locking means 5 for attaching and dis-attaching a communication device (not shown) thereto. Furthermore the docking station 2 may include locking means 6 for securing itself to a limb of a user 7 much the same as a watch.

Figure 2 includes an embodiment 8 illustrating how a communications device such as a cellular phone 10 with communication means including antenna 11, attaches itself to the docking station 9. The cellular phone may form part of an existing range of phones from a manufacturer or be a custom designed phone forming part of a matched pair with the docking station Figure 3 shows added functions 12 which may be built into the docking station 13 including a battery 15 and sensors 16 which may measure metabolismic activity of a user i. e. blood pressure, heart beat or the like. Also the docking station may be equipped with an improved antenna 18 for better reception and modular slots 17 for upgrading or adding

functions to the docking station, which in combination with the communication device (not shown) may provide added services and capabilities by the joint use. The docking station may have electrical and/or electronic connecting means 14 for allowing communication and electrical coupling between the docking station and the communication device such as a cellular phone. As previously mentioned the docking station is designed to fit to, or around a limb of a user 19.