Abstract:
In one embodiment, a headset system comprises a handsfree headset comprising a headset docking portion and an earpiece, a docking station comprising a docking mechanism configured to hold the handsfree headset by the headset docking portion, and a magnetic securing mechanism configured to magnetically secure the handsfree headset to the docking station. The handsfree headset can be configured to receive signals from an electronic device, be carried in a handsfree manner aligning the earpiece and an ear of a user when in use, and be held by the docking station independently of the electronic device when not in use. Other examples and embodiments are described herein.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/649,702, filed on Dec. 30, 2009, which is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/031,028, filed on Jan. 6, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,664,287. The disclosure of the referenced applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to communication devices, and relates more particularly to headsets for communication devices. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Certain electronic devices, such as cellular telephones, radios, and the like, operate in part by transmitting audio signals through a speaker to an ear of a user of the electronic device. On some such devices, the speaker is not capable of transmitting the audio signals such that they can be heard clearly at a distance, thus requiring those devices, or the speakers of those devices, to be held directly to the ear. Privacy, courtesy, and other considerations sometimes dictate that speakers on electronic devices also be held directly to the ear even where this is not a requirement of the device. Headphones, earpieces, headsets, and the like have been developed that allow users of electronic devices to position a speaker next to or in the ear without having to hold the speaker in place. However, the existing headphones, earpieces, headsets, and the like, while offering certain useful features, do not offer the flexibility necessary to provide a secure, comfortable fit customizable for both left and right ears in a variety of shapes and sizes, and/or customizable for a variety of individual preferences. Accordingly, there exists a need for a headset capable of use with an electronic device and that is capable of a comfortable, secure, customizable, and reconfigurable fit on a user&#39;s ear. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    The invention will be better understood from a reading of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures in the drawings in which: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a headset according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a headset and a charger according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a portion of the headset according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is an elevational view of the portion of the headset of  FIG. 3  according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is another elevational view of the portion of the headset of  FIG. 3  according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of another portion of the headset according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the portion of the headset of  FIG. 6  according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of an ear loop according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an ear loop according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is an elevational view of an ear loop according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an earplug according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  is a plan view of an earplug according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional elevational view of the earplug of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an earplug according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 15  is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a headset capable of receiving signals from an electronic device according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0020]    For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements. 
         [0021]    The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “comprise,” “include,” “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. 
         [0022]    The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as directly or indirectly connected in an electrical, mechanical, or other manner. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    In one embodiment of the invention, a headset capable of receiving signals from an electronic device comprises a body, a neck protruding from the body, a speaker coupled to the neck, an ear loop removably attached to the neck, and an earplug removably attached to the neck. The ear loop can comprise a headset attachment portion comprising a substantially circular arc and an ear engagement portion coupled to the headset attachment portion and comprising a flexible wire surrounded by a coating. The earplug can comprise a headset engaging portion comprising a first ring and an ear engaging portion adjacent to the headset engaging portion and comprising a second ring having a protruding lip. 
         [0024]    In another embodiment, a headset system comprises a headset comprising a body and an earpiece, and a docking station comprising a receiving mechanism sized to receive a portion of the body. The earpiece can be located outside of the receiving mechanism when the portion of the body is coupled to the receiving mechanism. Other examples and embodiments are described herein. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a headset  100  according to an embodiment of the invention. Headset  100  is capable of receiving signals from an electronic device such as, for example, a cellular telephone (cell phone), a radio, a vehicle navigation system, and the like. In the following description, headset  100  will be described in terms of use with a cell phone, but it should be understood that headset  100  may also be used with a variety of other electronic devices, including those mentioned above. 
         [0026]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , headset  100  comprises a body  110 , a neck  120  protruding from body  110 , a speaker  130  coupled to, or adjacent to, neck  120 , and an ear loop  140  and an earplug  150  removably attached to neck  120 . The structure of ear loop  140  and of earplug  150  will be discussed in detail below. In one embodiment, headset  100  further comprises a magnet inside body  110 . The magnet referred to is not a magnet that may be part of speaker  130 , but instead is separate from speaker  130 . In the same or another embodiment, headset  100  further comprises a rechargeable battery inside body  110 . Because of their location inside body  110 , and because they are both known in the art, neither the magnet nor the rechargeable battery are illustrated in the figures. 
         [0027]    As an example of how headset  100  may be used, ear loop  140  and earplug  150  can be placed, respectively, over and in the ear of a cell phone user so as to securely position speaker  130  in a location where the user can hear the sounds being transmitted through speaker  130 . With headset  100  securely in place in the user&#39;s ear, the user need not hold the cell phone at all, thus keeping the hands free to perform other tasks. As a particular example, headset  100  allows a driver of a vehicle to grasp the steering wheel of the vehicle with both hands rather than use one hand to hold the cell phone, thus promoting and increasing the safety of the roadways. 
         [0028]    In at least one embodiment, headset  100  is a wireless headset allowing hands-free communication between it and a wireless-enabled host such as a Bluetooth computer, cell phone, or other device. Headset  100  may also be used, without wires, in connection with non wireless-enabled devices, provided an appropriate dongle is used. Such dongles are known in the art and will therefore not be further described herein. Headset  100  may further be used in connection with a transceiver enhancing, for example, use of headset  100  in a vehicle. As an example, the transceiver may be capable of providing power to operate headset  100 , and/or recharge the battery therein, via the vehicle&#39;s cigarette lighter adapter. As another example, the transceiver may be capable of serving as a dock or mounting receptacle for headset  100 , and may comprise a built-in speaker and microphone to allow headset  100  to function as a speakerphone when headset  100  is docked with or mounted on the transceiver. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of headset  100  and a charger  210  according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , headset  100  can be placed in charger  210  in what is referred to herein as a charging position. The rechargeable battery inside body  110  is capable of being recharged by charger  210  when headset  100  is placed in the charging position on charger  210 . In one embodiment, charger  210  has a second magnet therein configured to attract the magnet inside body  110  of headset  100 . Headset  100  is thus maintained in the charging position on charger  210  by the mutual attraction of the magnet and the second magnet. In an alternate embodiment, only one of charger  210  and headset  100  contains a magnet, and the piece having no magnet contains instead a component that is attracted to magnets. In this alternate embodiment, headset  100  is also maintained in the charging position on charger  210 , though perhaps not as securely as in the two-magnet embodiment described above. Because of its location inside charger  210 , and because it is a component known in the art, the second magnet is not illustrated in the figures. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a portion of headset  100  including body  110 , neck  120 , and speaker  130 , according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 4  is an elevational view of the same portion of headset  100  according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , body  110  comprises a side  410 , a side  420  substantially opposite side  410 , and an end cap  330  covering a portion of side  410  and a portion of side  420 . An intersection of side  410  and side  420  comprises a raised centerline  425 , shown in dashed lines to indicate that it is located underneath end cap  330  in  FIG. 4 . Neck  120  protrudes substantially perpendicularly from side  410 . Body  110  further comprises an end  440 , an end  450  substantially opposite end  440 , a microphone  360  at end  440 , and a switch  470  at end  450 . End cap  330  covers end  440  in addition to the portion of side  410  and the portion of side  420  mentioned above. 
         [0031]    Switch  470  is capable of at least one of rotational and linear movement. More specifically, switch  470  can either be rotated in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, or can be pushed and released so that it retreats slightly into and rebounds from end  450  of body  110 . Accordingly, in the context of switch  470 , linear movement means movement into and out of body  110  substantially in the direction of an arrow  480  shown in  FIG. 4 . In one embodiment, switch  470  is capable of both of the described motions. As an example, rotational movement of switch  470  can control the volume of audio signals emanating from speaker  130 . As another example, linear movement of switch  470  can perform call-answering and/or call-terminating functions. Continuing with the call-answering/call-terminating example, switch  470  can be pushed and released once in order to answer an incoming telephone call, and be pushed and released a second time in order to hang up after the telephone call has concluded. 
         [0032]    In the illustrated embodiment, body  110  is an elongated or elliptical body having a major axis  391  and a minor axis  392  substantially perpendicular to major axis  391 . Switch  470  and microphone  360  are located substantially at opposite ends of major axis  391 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is an elevational view of the portion of headset  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , as seen from end  450  of body  110 , according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , neck  120  comprises a portion  521  and a portion  522  between body  110  and portion  521 . In the illustrated embodiment, both portion  521  and portion  522  are substantially circular, with portion  521  having a first diameter and portion  522  having a second diameter different from the first diameter. In a particular embodiment, the first diameter is greater than the second diameter. 
         [0034]    As described in more detail below, ear loop  140  ( FIG. 1 ) fits over or otherwise fits onto portion  522 , and earplug  150  ( FIG. 1 ) fits over or otherwise fits onto portion  521 . Referring still to  FIG. 5 , and again to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , portion  522  of neck  120  comprises a shaft  520 , an arcuate segment  321  protruding from and extending around a portion of shaft  520 , a groove  322  in shaft  520  at a first side of arcuate segment  321 , a groove  422  in shaft  520  at a second side of arcuate segment  321 , and a groove  523  in shaft  520  substantially opposite arcuate segment  321 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of end cap  330  according to an embodiment of the invention, and  FIG. 7  is a perspective view thereof according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , end cap  330  has a channel  731  formed therein. In one embodiment, end cap  330  further comprises a second, non-illustrated channel, similar to channel  731 , located opposite channel  731  on an opposite interior sidewall of end cap  330 . When end cap  330  is in place covering a portion of side  410  and a portion of side  420  ( FIG. 4 ), channel  731  fits over raised centerline  425  ( FIG. 4 ) formed by the intersection of side  410  and side  420  of body  110 . In this manner, end cap  330  tends to urge side  410  and side  420  toward each other, thus helping to prevent sides  410  and  420  from separating. End cap  330  further comprises an enclosure  631  protruding therefrom. Enclosure  631  defines an opening in which microphone  360  ( FIG. 3 ) rests. 
         [0036]      FIG. 8  is a plan view,  FIG. 9  is a perspective view, and  FIG. 10  is an elevational view of ear loop  140  according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , ear loop  140  comprises an attachment portion  810  and an ear engagement portion  820  coupled to attachment portion  810 . Attachment portion  810  comprises a substantially circular arc comprising a lip  811  at a side  815  of attachment portion  810 , a lip  812  at a side  816  of attachment portion  810  substantially opposite side  815 , and a tab  813  between lip  811  and lip  812 . Attachment portion  810  is symmetric about an axis  890  passing through tab  813 , meaning tab  813  is located substantially on an axis of symmetry of attachment portion  810 . 
         [0037]    In one embodiment, tab  813  is located substantially opposite arcuate segment  321 . Lip  811  and lip  812  are sized to fit into groove  322  and into groove  422 , while tab  813  is sized to fit into groove  523 . Attachment portion  810  may be constructed of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), another plastic resin, or the like, and is capable of being flexed such that it may be snapped onto neck  120  ( FIG. 1 ) with a gentle push and removed from neck  120  with a gentle tug. During both of such actions, attachment portion  810  flexes slightly as lips  811  and  812  pass over the widest part of neck  120 . 
         [0038]    Attachment of ear loop  140  to neck  120  comprises maneuvering attachment portion  810  onto neck  120  as described above until lip  811  is positioned either in groove  322  or groove  422 , lip  812  is in the one of groove  322  and  422  not occupied by lip  811 , and tab  813  is in groove  523 . As an example, headset  100  ( FIG. 1 ) can be said to be in a first orientation when lip  811  is in groove  322  and lip  812  is in groove  422 , and in a second orientation when lip  811  is in groove  422  and lip  812  is in groove  322 . As a further example, the first orientation may be suitable for a left ear of a user of headset  100 , while the second orientation may be suitable for a right ear of the user. Headset  100  may be changed between the first and second orientations simply by removing ear loop  140  from neck  120  ( FIG. 1 ), rotating ear loop  140  one hundred and eighty degrees about axis  890 , and reattaching ear loop  140  on neck  120 . 
         [0039]    Referring still to  FIG. 8 , ear engagement portion  820  comprises a wire  821  and a coating  822  surrounding wire  821 . Wire  821  is shown in dashed lines to indicate that it is located within coating  822 . In the illustrated embodiment, ear engagement portion  820  further comprises holes  823  which may be used during the manufacture of ear loop  140  to maintain wire  821  in a correct position. As an example, coating  822  may be constructed of a material such as thermoplastic urethane (TPU), another elastomer, including thermoplastic and/or thermoset elastomers, or the like. Ear engagement portion  820  further comprises a section  801  and a section  802  between section  801  and attachment portion  810 . As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , section  801  has a width at least as great as width  1010 , and section  802  has a width  1020 , where width  1010  is greater than width  1020 . 
         [0040]    As an example, wire  821  can be flexible or otherwise adjustable such that it can be molded or placed into any shape and retain that shape until it is molded or placed into a different shape, at which time it retains that different shape. Accordingly, the user of headset  100  can mold ear loop  140  into whatever shape is comfortable for either ear, and change that shape at any time according to personal preference. Ear loop  140  is thus customizable for ears of a very wide variety of shapes and sizes. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 11 and 12  are perspective and plan views, respectively, of earplug  150  according to an embodiment of the invention. As an example, earplug  150  can be manufactured from silicone, another elastomer, including thermoplastic and/or thermoset elastomers, or the like. As illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , earplug  150  comprises a neck attachment portion  1110 , sometimes also referred to herein as a headset engaging portion, and an ear engaging portion  1120  adjacent to neck attachment portion  1110 . Ear engaging portion  1120  of earplug  150  should not be confused with ear engagement portion  820 , which is part of ear loop  140  and is first shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0042]    Neck attachment portion  1110  comprises a first ring, an upper perimeter of which may be seen in  FIG. 12  as circle  1210 . Ear engaging portion  1120  comprises a second ring, visible in  FIG. 12  as ellipsoid  1220 , and having a protruding lip  1121 . Protruding lip  1121  interacts with an ear of a user of headset  100  ( FIG. 1 ) in order to stabilize headset  100  in the ear of the user. As an example, protruding lip  1121  can be arranged in the ear so as to fit behind and be stabilized by the tragus, which is the projection of skin-covered cartilage in front of the opening of the ear canal. The stabilization of protruding lip  1121  in this fashion stabilizes earplug  150 , and thus all of headset  100 , and tends to prevent headset  100  from falling out of or swinging from side to side in the ear. 
         [0043]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional elevational view of earplug  150  taken at a section line  13 - 13  in  FIG. 11 , and  FIG. 14  is a perspective view of earplug  150  according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , neck attachment portion  1110  of earplug  150  comprises a floor  1311 , a ceiling  1312  substantially opposite floor  1311 , and a sidewall  1313  between, substantially perpendicular to, and coupling together floor  1311  and ceiling  1312 . Floor  1311  defines an opening  1410 , and ceiling  1312  defines an opening  1420 . Opening  1410  has a diameter  1351 , and opening  1420  has a diameter  1352 . In the illustrated embodiment, diameter  1352  is less than diameter  1351 . Opening  1410  and opening  1420  are centered on a centerline  1390 . 
         [0044]    Sidewall  1313  comprises a portion  1316  adjacent to floor  1311  and a portion  1317  between portion  1316  and ceiling  1312 . Portion  1316  has an inside surface  1318  and portion  1317  has an inside surface  1319 . A thickness of portion  1316  of sidewall  1313  and a thickness of portion  1317  of sidewall  1313  is measured between an outside surface  1370  of neck attachment portion  1110  and, respectively, inside surface  1318  and inside surface  1319 . In the illustrated embodiment, the thickness of portion  1316  is less than the thickness of portion  1317 , and such would be the case even if, unlike the illustrated embodiment, outside surface  1370  formed a straight sidewall oriented at ninety degrees to floor  1311 . 
         [0045]    In a non-illustrated embodiment, headset  100  comprises, instead of or in addition to earplug  150 , an earplug comprising a neck attachment portion and an ear engaging portion largely as described above but not having a protruding lip. Some users of headset  100  may find such an earplug to be more comfortable because it does not protrude as far into the ear as does earplug  150 . In another non-illustrated embodiment, headset  100  comprises, instead of or in addition to earplug  150  and/or the alternate earplug described earlier in this paragraph, an earplug comprising a neck attachment portion and an ear engaging portion largely as described above but having a tapered, funnel-like, or other hollow protrusion in place of a protruding lip. The hollow protrusion could be capable of being partially inserted into the ear canal so as to better direct sound coming from speaker  130  to the eardrum. In addition to those mentioned in this paragraph, other earplug embodiments may also be used in connection with headset  100 . All of the described earplugs, including earplug  150 , help keep headset  100  in place in or near the ear of a user, improve long-term comfort by spreading the weight of headset  100  over a larger surface area, and help keep ambient noise from entering the ear canal and interfering with the signals emanating from speaker  130 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 15  is a flowchart illustrating a method  1500  of manufacturing a headset capable of receiving signals from an electronic device according to an embodiment of the invention. A step  1510  of method  1500  is to provide a headset body having a neck protruding therefrom. As an example, the headset body can be similar to body  110 , first shown in  FIG. 1 . As a further example, the neck can be similar to neck  120 , first shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0047]    A step  1520  of method  1500  is to provide a speaker coupled to the neck. As an example, the speaker can be similar to speaker  130 , first shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0048]    A step  1530  of method  1500  is to provide an ear loop removably attachable to the neck. As an example, the ear loop can be similar to ear loop  140 , first shown in  FIG. 1 . In one embodiment, step  1530  comprises providing an attachment portion comprising a first lip, a second lip, and a tab between the first lip and the second lip. As an example, the attachment portion can be similar to attachment portion  810 , first shown in  FIG. 8 . As another example, the first lip can be similar to lip  811  and the second lip can be similar to lip  812 , both of which are also first shown in  FIG. 8 . As a further example, the tab can be similar to tab  813 , also first shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0049]    In the same or another embodiment, step  1530  further comprises providing an ear engagement portion coupled to the attachment portion and comprising a flexible wire and a coating surrounding the flexible wire. As an example, the ear engagement portion can be similar to ear engagement portion  820 , first shown in  FIG. 8 . As a further example, the flexible wire can be similar to wire  821 , and the coating can be similar to coating  822 , both of which were also first shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0050]    A step  1540  of method  1500  is to provide an earplug removably attachable to the neck. As an example, the earplug can be similar to earplug  150 , first shown in  FIG. 1 . In one embodiment, step  1540  comprises providing a headset engaging portion comprising a first ring, and may further comprise providing an ear engaging portion adjacent to the headset engaging portion and comprising a second ring having a protruding lip. As an example, the headset engaging portion can be similar to headset engaging portion or neck attachment portion  1110 , first shown in  FIG. 11 . As a further example, the ear engaging portion can be similar to ear engaging portion  1120 , and the protruding lip can be similar to protruding lip  1121 , both of which were also first shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0051]    Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Various examples of such changes have been given in the foregoing description. Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the invention and is not intended to be limiting. It is intended that the scope of the invention shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims. For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that the headset discussed herein may be implemented in a variety of embodiments, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments. Rather, the detailed description of the drawings, and the drawings themselves, disclose at least one preferred embodiment of the invention, and may disclose alternative embodiments of the invention. 
         [0052]    All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to the invention claimed in that particular claim. Consequently, replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims. 
         [0053]    Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.