Patent · US Expired

Telephone with configurable ear piece

US6021195A · kind A · utility

12Cited by
3References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 11, 1997
Grant dateFeb 1, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 11, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04M1/03
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A telephone which includes a telephone body adapted to receive different earpieces is disclosed. A variety of different earpieces may be coupled to the telephone body. In one embodiment the telephone body has an opening formed in it that exposes a connector receptacle adapted to mate with a connector of an earpiece. By inserting the earpiece into the opening, the connector of an earpiece mates with the connector receptacle so as to mechanically and electrically attach the earpiece to the telephone body. Alternatively, screw threads are used to attach the earpiece to the telephone body. Some earpieces conform generally to the contours of the telephone body and others extend from the telephone body. The ability to couple different earpieces to the telephone body allows for the easy and inexpensive manufacture of telephones having an earpiece conforming to the specific needs of a user.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.