Portable communication device

Abstract

A portable communication device includes a housing and a push-to-talk button. A push-to-talk (PTT) button is disposed on the front surface of the housing and also occupies a majority of the front surface of the housing. The portable communication device also includes a light emitting diode (LED) strip disposed on the PTT button. The LED strip is placed on the flexible cable so as to allow the LED strip and the PTT button to move together when any portion of the front surface of the housing containing the LED strip and the PTT button is activated. The PTT button is configured to activate transmission of the PTT signal over the talk group channel when the PTT is activated.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Push-to-talk (PTT) handsets have been used by emergency personnel for some time, but have recently become more common. PTT handsets contain a PTT button that enables a user to communicate with a group of users on the same channel. In existing handsets, the PTT button is located on a side surface. However, in some cases, such as when the handset is worn on the user's body (e.g., users operating in retail and hospitality environments), it may be inconvenient for these users to operate a PTT button located on the side surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] In the accompanying drawings, similar or identical reference numerals may be repeated to indicate corresponding or similar elements. These drawings, together with the following detailed description, are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, and are used to further illustrate various embodiments of the concept of the claimed invention, and to explain various principles and advantages of these embodiments.

[0003] Figure 1 A front view, a rear view, a top view, a bottom view, a left side view, and a right side view of a portable communication device according to some embodiments are shown.

[0004] Figure 2 A front perspective view of a portable communication device is shown in accordance with some embodiments.

[0005] Figure 3 A rear perspective view of a portable communication device is shown in accordance with some embodiments.

[0006] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of a portable communication device is shown in accordance with some embodiments.

[0007] Figure 5 Different applications of a light emitting diode assembly provided on a portable communication device according to some embodiments are shown.

[0008] Figure 6 Examples of different wearable operating modes associated with a portable communication device are shown in accordance with some embodiments.

[0009] Figure 7 is a block diagram of a portable communication device according to some embodiments.

[0010] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the elements in the drawings are shown for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the size of some elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help better understand the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0011] Apparatus and method components are represented in the drawings by conventional symbols where appropriate, and only those specific details relevant to understanding the embodiments of the disclosure are shown so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] One embodiment provides a portable communication device including: a housing including a front surface; and a push-to-talk (PTT) button disposed on the front surface of the housing, the PTT button occupying a majority of the front surface of the housing.

[0013] The above embodiments will be discussed in more detail below. Other advantages and features consistent with the present disclosure will be described in the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] Reference now Figures 1 to 7 , a portable communication device 100 is shown. The portable communication device 100 includes a housing 110 having a plurality of surfaces, including a front surface 112, a rear surface 114, a top surface 116, a bottom surface 118, a left side surface 120, and a right side surface 122. The front surface 112 of the housing 110 includes a push-to-talk (PTT) button 124 (also referred to as a full-front PTT button) and a light emitting diode (LED) bar 126 disposed on the PTT button 124. According to an embodiment, the PTT button 124 is large enough to substantially occupy the front surface 112 of the housing 110. As shown in FIG. Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the PTT button 124 occupies a majority of the front surface 112 of the housing 110. In one embodiment, the PTT button 124 is configured to occupy at least 75% of the front surface 112 of the housing 110. In another embodiment, the PTT button 124 is configured to occupy at least 90% of the button surface.

[0015] The PTT button 124 is configured to activate transmission of a PTT signal on a selected talk group channel (e.g., when operating in a half-duplex communication mode) when the PTT button 124 is pressed. According to an embodiment, any portion of the PTT button 124 located on the front surface of the housing may be pressed to activate PTT transmission. For example, the PTT button 124 is configured to be activated over the entire surface of the PTT button 124.

[0016] The portable communication device 100 includes a light emitting diode (LED) bar 126 disposed on the PTT button 124. According to some embodiments, as Figure 4 As shown, the LED strip 126 is placed on a flexible cable 400 (see Figure 4), the flexible cable 400 is connected to a rigid printed circuit board (PCB) disposed in the housing 110 so that when any portion of the front surface 112 of the housing 110 containing the LED bar 126 and the PTT button 124 is pressed, the LED bar 126 and the PTT button 124 are moved together. In these embodiments, the user can also press the LED bar 126 disposed on the front surface 112 of the housing 110 to activate PTT transmission. The LED bar 126 is configured to be activated to provide feedback indications including at least one of battery status, connection status, volume status, and startup and shutdown sequence status. Figure 5 In the example, LED bar 126 is displayed to indicate volume / charging status.

[0017] The portable communication device 100 also includes a translucent light emitting diode (LED) ring 128 disposed on the front surface of the housing 110 around the periphery of the PTT button 124. The LED ring 128 includes LED elements 130, 132 configured to be activated to provide feedback indications including at least one of: channel status, call status, transmission and reception status, and charging status. Figure 5 As shown, the LED ring 128 may include LED elements 130, 132 positioned around a top portion and a bottom portion of the ring 128, respectively, to indicate the on / off status of the power supply.

[0018] The portable communication device 100 also includes a voice command button 134, a volume adjustment button 136, a power button 138, and an emergency button 140. The voice command button 134 and the volume adjustment button 136 are arranged on the left side surface 120 of the housing 110. The power button 138 and the emergency button 140 can be disposed on the top surface 116 of the housing 110. According to an embodiment, when the emergency button 140 is pressed, the portable communication device 100 automatically transmits an emergency signal on a preprogrammed frequency channel, such as for reception by a dispatch center and other communication devices. According to some embodiments, the portable communication device 100 also includes a slot 142 disposed on the back surface 114 of the housing 110. The slot 142 is adapted to display a quick response (QR) code or other suitable scannable code, which can be used to provide one or more ownership experiences (e.g., device registration) to a user of the portable communication device 100. The portable communication device 100 also includes a slot 144 located on the right side surface 122 of the housing 110. The slot 144 can be adapted to receive a subscriber identity module (SIM).

[0019] The portable communication device 100 also includes an accessory connector interface 146 adapted to connect the portable communication device to a wired audio accessory, such as a remote speaker microphone (RSM) or other remote audio accessory. The accessory connector interface 146 is disposed on the bottom surface 118 of the housing 110. The portable communication device 100 also includes one or more charging pins 148 disposed on the rear surface 114 of the housing 110. The portable communication device 100 includes a charging connector interface 150 (e.g., a USB-C interface) disposed on the bottom surface 118 of the housing 110.

[0020] According to an embodiment, the rear surface 114 of the portable communication device 100 is configured to be mounted on clothing and / or a fixed surface. Figure 6 As shown, the portable communication device 100 can be worn on a belt or chest, providing better ergonomics for users (e.g., users working in retail and hospital environments). When worn on a belt, the portable communication device 100 can be attached to a belt clip holster accessory.

[0021] Figure 7 7 is a block diagram showing the internal components of the portable communication device 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention. These components include an antenna 702, a controller 704, a transceiver 706, a memory 708, and a user interface 710. The user interface 710 may include one or more of the PTT button 124, the voice command button 134, and the emergency button 140. According to an embodiment, the antenna 702 includes any known or developed structure for radiating and receiving electromagnetic energy within a frequency range that includes a wireless carrier frequency. The antenna 702 is used to transmit radio signals on one or more preprogrammed channels assigned for PTT communication.

[0022] According to an embodiment, transceiver 706 coupled to controller 704 enables portable communication device 100 to transmit and receive RF signals through antenna 702. Transceiver 706 converts RF signals received from antenna 702 into digital data for use by controller 704 according to an embodiment.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the controller 704 is coupled to the transceiver 706, the memory 708, and the user interface 710. The controller 704 operates in conjunction with the data and instructions stored in the memory 708 to control the operation of the portable communication device 100. The controller 704 may be implemented as a processor, a digital signal processor, hardwired logic and analog circuits, or any suitable combination of these.

[0024] According to the embodiment, memory 708 is coupled to controller 704 to store data and instructions for operation of controller 704. Memory 708 maintains a database storing information about talk group channels that can be used by portable communication device 100 for PTT communications.

[0025] According to this embodiment, a user interface 710 coupled to the controller 704 detects when the PTT button 124 is pressed and, in response, sends a control signal to the controller 704 to activate transmission of a PTT signal via the transceiver 706 on the talk group channel.

[0026] In the foregoing description, specific embodiments have been described. However, it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. Therefore, the description and drawings should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present teachings. Benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more obvious should not be construed as key, essential, or essential features or elements of any or all claims. The present invention is limited solely by the appended claims, including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims issued.

[0027] Furthermore, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, etc. may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual relationship or order between these entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "has," "having," "includes," "including," "contains," "containing," or any other variation thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes, has, contains, or contains a series of elements is not limited to only these elements, but may also include other elements not explicitly listed or inherent to the process, method, article, or apparatus. Elements beginning with "includes... one," "have... one," "includes... one," or "containing... one" do not, without more constraints, exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes, has, contains, or contains the element. Unless otherwise expressly stated herein, the terms "a" and "an" are defined as one or more. The terms "substantially," "essentially," "approximately," "about," or any other variation thereof are defined to approximate what is understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment, the term is defined to be within 10%; in another embodiment, the term is defined to be within 5%; in another embodiment, the term is defined to be within 1%; and in another embodiment, the term is defined to be within 0.5%. The term "one of," without a more restrictive modifier, such as "only one of," when applied herein to two or more subsequently defined options, such as "one of A and B," should be interpreted to mean that there is only any one of the options in the list (e.g., A alone or B alone) or there is any combination of two or more of the options in the list (e.g., A and B).

[0028] A device or structure that is "configured" in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

[0029] As used herein, the terms "couple," "couple," or "connect" can have several different meanings, depending on the context in which the terms are used. For example, the terms couple, couple, or connect can have mechanical or electrical meanings. For example, as used herein, the terms couple, couple, or connect can indicate that two elements or devices are connected to each other directly, or to each other via electrical elements, electrical signals, or mechanical elements through intermediate elements or devices, depending on the particular context.

[0030] It should be understood that some embodiments may be composed of one or more general or special-purpose processors (or "processing devices"), such as microprocessors, digital signal processors, custom processors, and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and proprietary stored program instructions (including both software and firmware) that control one or more processors in combination with certain non-processor circuits to implement some, most, or all of the functions of the methods and / or devices described herein. Alternatively, some or all of the functions may be implemented by a state machine without stored program instructions, or in one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), where each function or certain combinations of certain functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, these two approaches can be used in combination.

[0031] In addition, embodiments may be implemented as a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable code for programming a computer (e.g., including a processor) to perform the methods described and claimed herein. Any suitable computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be utilized. Examples of such computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to, hard disks, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, ROMs (read-only memories), PROMs (programmable read-only memories), EPROMs (erasable programmable read-only memories), EEPROMs (electrically erasable programmable read-only memories), and flash memory. In the context of this document, a computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be any medium that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transmit a program for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0032] In addition, it is expected that those of ordinary skill in the art, guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein, will be able to generate such software instructions, programs and ICs with minimal experimentation, although they may be inspired by many design choices such as available time, current technology and economic considerations, despite the fact that great efforts may be made. For example, the computer program code for performing the operations of the various example embodiments can be written in an object-oriented programming language, such as Java, Smalltalk, C, Python, etc. However, the computer program code for performing the operations of the various example embodiments can also be written in a traditional procedural programming language, such as the "C" programming language or a similar programming language. The program code can be executed entirely on the computer, partially on the computer, as an independent software package, partially on the computer and partially on a remote computer or server, or completely on a remote computer or server. In the latter case, the remote computer or server can be connected to the computer via a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or can be connected to an external computer (e.g., by using the Internet of an Internet service provider).

[0033] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. The Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the “Detailed Description” above, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments in order to simplify the disclosure. This method of disclosure should not be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. On the contrary, as reflected in the claims, the innovative subject matter lies in less than all the features of a single disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the claims are incorporated into the “Detailed Description”, where each claim stands on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

Claims

1. A portable communication device comprising: a housing, the housing comprising a front surface; as well as A push-to-talk (PTT) button is disposed on the front surface of the housing, and the PTT button occupies most of the front surface of the housing.

2. The portable communication device according to claim 1, wherein: The PTT button is configured to activate transmission of a PTT signal on a talk group channel when the PTT button is pressed.

3. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising a light emitting diode (LED) bar disposed on the PTT button.

4. The portable communication device of claim 3, wherein the LED bar is configured to be activated to provide a feedback indication, the feedback indication comprising at least one of a battery status, a connection status, a volume status, a startup and shutdown sequence status.

5. The portable communication device of claim 4, wherein the LED bar is placed on a flexible cable connected to a rigid PCB board disposed in the housing so that when the PTT button is activated, the LED bar moves with the PTT button.

6. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising a translucent light emitting diode (LED) ring disposed around a periphery of the PTT button on a front surface of the housing.

7. The portable communication device according to claim 6, wherein the LED ring includes one or more LED elements, and the one or more LED elements are configured to be activated to provide feedback indications, and the feedback indications include at least channel status, call status, transmission and reception status, and charging status.

8. The portable communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: Voice command button; Volume adjustment button; Power button; as well as Emergency button.

9. The portable communication device according to claim 8, wherein: The voice command button and the volume adjustment button are disposed on a left side surface of the housing.

10. The portable communication device of claim 8, wherein the power button and the emergency button are disposed on a top surface of the housing.

11. The portable communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: An accessory connector is adapted to connect the portable communication device to an audio accessory.

12. The portable communication device of claim 11, wherein the accessory connector is disposed on a top surface of the housing.

13. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising: One or more charging pins are disposed on a rear surface of the housing.

14. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising: A slot is provided on a rear surface of the housing, the slot being adapted to display a Quick Response (QR) code.

15. The portable communication device according to claim 1, wherein: The PTT button is further configured to occupy at least 75% of the front surface of the housing.

16. The portable communication device according to claim 15, wherein: The PTT button is further configured to occupy at least 90% of a front surface of the housing.

17. The portable communication device according to claim 15, wherein: The PTT button is also configured to be activatable over the entire button surface.

18. The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein: The housing also includes a rear surface configured to be mounted to clothing and / or a stationary surface.

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