Adapter unit for a portable radio telephone enabling either one of data transmission and hand-free operation

Claim 1

A radio telephone apparatus comprising: a portable unit comprising: (a) a radio telephone comprising an operation mode control responsive to a user-supplied for generating an operation mode control signal, and a transmitter for converting information signals to radio frequency signals and for transmitting the radio frequency signals over a radio communication link; (b) a first contact-type connector coupled to said radio telephone for receiving information signals external of said portable unit, supplying the information signals to said transmitter, and for outputting the operational mode control signal; and (c) a power supply control which supplies a POWER-ON signal to said first contact-type connector, said first contact-type connector supplying the POWER-ON signal to a second contact-type connector when said first contact-type connector is attached to said second contact-type connector; an adapter unit comprising: (a) said second contact-type connector detachably coupled to said first contact-type connector for outputting information signals to said portable unit and for receiving the operational mode control signal; (b) a microphone terminal for receiving information signals from a microphone; (c) a data terminal for receiving information signals from a data transmission device; and (d) switching means coupled to said second contact-type connector for supplying, in response to the operational mode control signal, the information signals to said second contact-type connector from one of said microphone terminal and said data terminal, whereby the information signals are output from said second contact-type connector to said first contact-type connector, supplied from said first contact-type connector to said transmitter, and are converted to radio frequency signals, which are transmitted by said transmitter over said radio communication link; and (e) a power supply control which receives the POWER-ON signal from said second contact-type connector and powers a power supply switch ON in response thereto.