MAGNETICALLY ALIGNED HANDSET
A communication device includes a magnetically aligning handset. In an embodiment, an alignment element in the handset magnetically couples with a corresponding alignment element in a cradle portion when the handset is in an on-hook position. The handset engages a hookswitch on the cradle portion of the communication device while in the on-hook position. When the hookswitch is engaged, the handset is not active for communication. The magnetic alignment elements may assist in guiding the handset into the on-hook position and may secure the handset against inadvertent disturbances to the off-hook position. Each alignment element may include a number of magnetic regions and non-magnetic regions, selected to align the handset in a particular orientation within the cradle.
1 . A communication device, comprising:
a handset having a first magnetic alignment element; and
a body, the body including a cradle portion capable of receiving the handset and a hookswitch located in the cradle portion, wherein the cradle portion includes a second magnetic alignment element that magnetically couples with the first magnetic alignment element to engage the hookswitch and wherein the magnetic coupling of the first magnetic alignment element and the second magnetic alignment element aligns the handset within the cradle portion.
2 . The communication device of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic coupling of the first magnetic alignment element and the second magnetic alignment element secures the handset within the cradle portion.
3 . The communication device of claim 1 , wherein the first magnetic alignment element is located in a speaker portion of the handset.
4 . The communication device of claim 1 , wherein the second magnetic alignment element is located within a cradle ledge of the cradle.
5 . The communication device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first magnetic alignment element and second magnetic alignment element includes one or more non-magnetic regions and one or more magnetic regions.
6 . The communication device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a hookswitch tab coupled to the cradle;
a hookswitch tab receiver within the handset, wherein the magnetic coupling of the first magnetic alignment element and the second magnetic alignment element aligns the hookswitch tab within the hookswitch tab receiver.
7 . The communication device of claim 1 , wherein the hookswitch is a physical hookswitch.
8 . The communication device of claim 1 , wherein the hookswitch is a proximity hookswitch.
9 . The communication device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first alignment element and second magnetic alignment element comprises a permanent magnet.
10 . The communication device of claim 9 , wherein the permanent magnet comprises a ferromagnetic material.
11 . The communication device of claim 9 , wherein the permanent magnet comprises a rare-earth metal.
12 . The communication device of claim 1 , wherein the permanent magnet comprises neodymium.
13 . The communication device of claim 1 , further comprising one or more materials disposed between the first magnetic alignment element and second magnetic alignment element when the first magnetic alignment element and second magnetic alignment element are magnetically coupled.
14 . The communication device of claim 1 , wherein the handset further comprises a third magnetic alignment element and the cradle further comprises a fourth magnetic alignment element that magnetically couples with the third magnetic alignment element.
15 . The communication device of claim 14 , wherein the handset further comprises a microphone portion, and wherein the microphone portion comprises the third magnetic alignment element.
16 . The communication device of claim 1 , wherein the handset further comprises a microphone portion, and wherein the microphone portion comprises the first magnetic alignment element.
17 . A communication device, comprising:
a handset having a speaker portion and a microphone portion, wherein the speaker portion includes a first magnetic alignment element capable of magnetically coupling with a second magnetic alignment element to engage a hookswitch in a cradle portion of a body and to align the handset within the cradle portion.
18 . The communication device of claim 17 , further comprising the body.
19 . A communication device, comprising:
a body, the body including a cradle portion capable of receiving a handset and a hookswitch located in the cradle portion, wherein the cradle portion includes a second magnetic alignment element that magnetically couples with a first magnetic alignment element in the handset to engage the hookswitch and to align the handset within the cradle portion.
20 . The communication device of claim 19 , further comprising the handset.