Detachable wireless terminal
View Patent ↗A limited-capability wireless terminal that is particularly well adapted for use in emergency situations, recreational activities and occasional calls is disclosed. The detachable wireless terminal does not have a display or a numeric keypad. Rather, the detachable wireless terminal has several “one-touch” buttons that place a call to pre-programmed phone numbers when pressed. The detachable wireless terminal is small enough and light enough to be worn around a user's neck, received by a lanyard or a necklace. The wireless terminal detachably couples to a relatively larger docking device, which can be used to program it.
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a docking device, comprising:
a wireless telecommunications antenna and transceiver configured to enable two-way communications over a common wireless network, and
an interface configured to enter a user programmed number and to transmit said user programmed number; and
a wireless terminal, detachably coupled to said docking device, configured to enable two-way voice communications independent of said docking device over said common wireless network, said wireless terminal comprising:
a first button configured to, in response to being depressed, activate a call to a preprogrammed number,
a second button configured to, in response to being depressed, activate a call to said user programmed number, and
a first interface configured to transmit data to and receive data from said docking device, including said user programmed number;
wherein said wireless terminal and said docking device are communicatively coupled in a walkie-talkie mode.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said docking device further comprises:
a suitably-programmed processor; and
control circuitry configured for programming said wireless terminal.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said docking device comprises a mobile phone.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said wireless terminal further comprises a plurality of buttons for placing calls.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said first button is visually distinguishable from the plurality of buttons.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said first interface of the wireless terminal is selected from a group comprising a wireless interface and a port.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said wireless terminal further comprises a coupler configured to enable said wireless terminal to be physically coupled to an item that facilitates carrying said wireless terminal.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said item is selected from a group comprising a lanyard, a necklace, a bracelet, a key-ring, and a belt.
9. An apparatus, comprising:
a docking device, comprising:
a wireless telecommunications antenna and transceiver configured to enable two-way voice communications over a common wireless network, and
an interface configured to enter a user programmed number and to transmit said user programmed number; and
a plurality of wireless terminals, detachably coupled to said docking device, configured to enable two-way voice communications independent of said docking device over the common wireless network, a wireless terminal of said plurality of wireless terminals comprising:
a first button configured to, in response to being depressed, activate a preprogrammed 9-1-1 call,
a second button configured to, in response to being depressed, activate a call to said user programmed number,
an interface configured to transmit data to and receive data from said docking device, including said user programmed number;
wherein said plurality of wireless terminals and said docking device are communicatively coupled in a walkie-talkie mode.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said wireless terminal does not have a display.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said first button is visually distinguishable from other buttons.
12. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said wireless terminal of said plurality of wireless terminals further comprises a coupler configured to couple said wireless terminal to an item that facilitates carrying said wireless terminal, wherein said item is selected from a group comprising a lanyard, a necklace, a bracelet, a key-ring, and a belt.
13. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said interface of said wireless terminal is selected from a group comprising a wireless interface and a port.
14. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said mobile docking device is selected from a group comprising a cellular phone and an MP3 player with wireless telecommunications capability.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first button is configured to, in response to being pressed, activates one of a 9-1-1 call, a call to home, a call to police, or a call to a hospital.