Work Surface Power Unit Wireless Speakerphone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compact mobile communications devices often have inadequate speakerphone capabilities due to small speaker and microphone size, quality, and placement, limiting their functionality in work areas.
Innovation Solution
An electrical power unit with a wireless communications module that includes an audio speaker, microphone, wireless audio signal receiver, and transmitter, allowing for two-way wireless communications and functioning as a remote speakerphone by mounting to a work surface and pairing with mobile devices via protocols like Bluetooth or NFC.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If mobile communications devices are made compact, then portability and convenience are improved, but speakerphone capability deteriorates due to limited speaker and microphone size and placement options
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the speakerphone functionality from the mobile device itself and relocates it to an external work surface mounting unit. This allows the mobile device to remain compact while the speakerphone components (speaker, microphone) are housed in a separate unit with adequate space for quality audio components.
Solution Approach 2:
The work surface mounting unit acts as an intermediary between the mobile device and the audio environment. It provides the intermediate audio processing and output capabilities that bridge the gap between compact mobile devices and effective speakerphone functionality.
2Reliability
If speaker and microphone size are increased to improve audio quality, then speakerphone capability is improved, but device portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into two separate functional units: a compact mobile communication device and a larger work surface mounting unit housing the audio components. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the mobile device for portability and the mounting unit for audio quality.
3Device complexity
If internal speaker and microphone are used in mobile devices, then device simplicity is maintained, but audio quality and placement flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The audio components are extracted from the mobile device and placed in the work surface mounting unit, allowing for superior audio component selection and placement while maintaining simple mobile device design.
Solution Approach 2:
The work surface mounting unit serves multiple functions: it provides speakerphone capability, charges the mobile device via integrated power outlet, and acts as a docking station. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive solutions.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical power unit with wireless communications capability includes a wireless communications module supported in a housing that is configured to be mounted at or along a work surface. The wireless communications module includes an audio speaker, a microphone, a wireless audio signal receiver, and a wireless audio signal transmitter. The wireless signal receiver is operable to receive first electronic audio signals from a first mobile communication device, and the audio speaker is operable to emit amplified sound in response to the wireless signal receiver receiving the first electronic audio signals. The wireless audio signal transmitter is operable to receive second electronic audio signals from the microphone, and to transmit the second electronic audio signals to the mobile communication device for further transmission from the first mobile communication device to a second communication device located remotely from the electrical power unit and the first mobile communication device.