Abstract:
An earphone device with vibration capability is provided. The earphone device can apply to a portable electronic device having a satellite navigation system and is mainly composed of vibration units in the earphone devices. The vibration units can be utilized to realize the vibrations of the earphone device in different manners, according to the incoming call instruction signals and navigation direction instruction signals, thus informing the user of an incoming call and the direction to the destination.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an earphone device, and in particularly to an earphone device with vibration capability. 
         [0003]    2. Related Art 
         [0004]    Recently, with the rapid development and progress of science and technology, the computer devices have become an indispensable tool in our daily life. The functions of various portable electronic devices presently available on the market are numerous, so that the positioning guidance function of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and the broadcasting function of the MPEG Audio Player 3 (MP3) may be realized in certain specific electronic devices simultaneously. In this respect, the GPS can be utilized to provide optimized route plans for the people engaged in outdoor activities. Likewise, they may get to their destinations accurately and promptly in an efficient manner, without having to spend too much time searching for the best route to their destination. Meanwhile, the MP3 may be used to provide entertainment and enjoyment to the user while driving a vehicle. 
         [0005]    For conventional technology and devices in this respect, refer to the following prior arts published in Taiwan Patent Publication No. M250156 “Portable Navigation Device” published on Nov. 11, 2004; Patent Publication No. 200509001 “System and Method for dynamic Road Navigation” published on Mar. 11, 2005, and Patent Publication No. M278018 “Vehicle Navigation Device” published on Oct. 11, 2005. In summary, in the above-mentioned prior art, the navigation device is installed in moving objects, such as vehicles and portable electronic devices, so that the user may check and look at his/her present position and the suggested route to the destination through a display panel, thus reaching the destination in a swift and efficient manner. In addition, in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0027385 “MP3 player having a wireless earphone communication with a mobile” published on Feb. 3, 2005, the incoming call may be used to generate a ring in an earphone device indicating the arrival of an incoming call, so that it will not be missed by the user. 
         [0006]    Though enjoying the benefits and advantages of the above-mentioned prior art, the user still has to pay attention to view the information shown on the display panel, as provided by the GPS, while driving a vehicle, which is not safe. In addition, if there is an incoming call while the user is listening to the MP3 music, the music is stopped by the earphone and switched to a ring tone, indicating there is an incoming call, thus spoiling the fun of the user. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    According to one aspect on the invention, an earphone device with vibration capability is provided, which can be applied on a portable electronic device having a satellite positioning navigation system, including an earphone device having a pair of vibration units, and is electrically connected to the portable electronic device through a signal transmission line. Upon receiving the incoming call instruction signals from the portable electronic device, the vibration units are activated to generate vibrations in both of the two earphone bodies, thus informing the user of an incoming call. However, upon receiving the navigation direction instruction signal from the portable electronic device, one of the vibration units is activated to generate the vibrations in the earphone body in one of the left and right ears indicating the direction of turning. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an earphone device with vibration capability so that the user does not have to be distracted to view the information of the GPS on the display panel. Meanwhile, on receiving the incoming call, there is no need to interrupt the listening of the MP3 music with the ring reminder. 
         [0009]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an earphone device with vibration capability by making use of a wireless transmission module for reminding the user of the incoming call, without being restricted by the necessity of a wire connection. 
         [0010]    The features and practice of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated below in detail with reference to the drawings. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given below for illustration only, and thus is not limitative of the present invention, wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of the earphone device with vibration capability, connected to a portable electric device through a signal transmission line according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the earphone device with vibration capability of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of the earphone device with vibration capability according to another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of the earphone device with vibration capability according to another embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a system flowchart indicating the steps of operation of the earphone device with vibration capability according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    The purpose, construction, features, and functions of the invention can be appreciated and understood more thoroughly through the following detailed description with reference to the attached drawings. 
         [0018]    In the invention, a portable electronic device having a multimedia and satellite navigation system is for example a notebook computer, a personal data assistant (PDA), a GPS navigator, or a cell phone. 
         [0019]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of the earphone device with vibration capability connected to a portable electronic device through a signal transmission line.  FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the earphone device with vibration capability. The earphone device  20  is connected to a portable electronic device  10 , having a satellite navigation system, through a signal transmission line, including: a first earphone body  21 , composed of a loudspeaker  211 , which is used to produce an audio wave according to the audio signals transmitted from the portable electronic device  10 , a vibration unit  212 , used to vibrate, thus making the earphone device  20  vibrate according to the instruction signals transmitted from the portable electronic device  10 ; a second earphone body  22 , also composed of a loudspeaker  211 , which is used to produce an audio wave according to the audio signals transmitted from the portable electronic device  10 , a vibration unit  212 , used to vibrate, thus making the earphone device  20  vibrate according to the instruction signals transmitted from the portable electronic device  10 ; a signal transmission line  23 , electrically connected to the first earphone body  21  and the second earphone body  22 , and used to transmit the signals emitted from the portable electronic device  10 , and a connector  24 , electrically connected to a signal transmission line  23 , and plugged into the socket of the portable electronic device  10 . 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the vibration unit  212  is used to produce vibration, informing the user of the arrival of the incoming call according to the instruction signal transmitted from the portable electronic device  10 . Alternatively, the vibration units  212  are used to produce vibrations informing the user to turn in the designated direction such as left or right turns. 
         [0021]    Next, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ,  FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of the earphone device with vibration capability according to another embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 4  is a block diagram of the earphone device with vibration capability according to another embodiment of the invention. In  FIG. 3 , the earphone device  20  is connected wirelessly to a portable electronic device  10  having a satellite navigation system, including: a first earphone body  21 , composed of a loudspeaker  211 , which is used to produce an audio wave according to the audio signals transmitted from the portable electronic device  10 , a vibration unit  212 , used to vibrate, thus making the earphone device  20  vibrate according to the instruction signals transmitted from the portable electronic device  10 ; a first processor  251 , connected electrically to the loudspeaker  211  and the vibration unit  212 , and used to receive and transmit signals; a first wireless transmission module  261 , electrically connected to the first processor  251 , and used to transmit a signal to and from the portable electronic device  10 ; a second earphone body  22 , also composed of a loudspeaker  211 , which is used to produce an audio wave according to the audio signals transmitted from the portable electronic device  10 ; a vibration unit  212 , used to vibrate, thus making the earphone device  20  vibrate according to the instruction signals transmitted from the portable electronic device  10 ; a second processor  252 , connected electrically to the loudspeaker  211  and the vibration unit  212 , and used to receive and transmit signals; a second wireless transmission module  262 , electrically connected to the second processor  252 , and used to transmit a signal to and from the portable electronic device  10 . 
         [0022]    Then, as shown in  FIG. 4 , it is a block diagram of the earphone device with vibration capability according to another embodiment of the invention. The vibration unit  212  is used to produce vibration, informing the user of an incoming call according to the instruction signal transmitted from the portable electronic device  10 . Alternatively, the vibration units  212  can be used to produce vibrations informing the user to turn in the designated direction such as left or right turns. 
         [0023]    Finally, as shown in  FIG. 5 , it is a system flowchart indicating the steps of operation of the earphone device with vibration capability according to an embodiment of the invention. Firstly, the user sets a target of the satellite navigation system (step  300 ). Next, in case the incoming call arrives from the portable electronic device  10  (step  301 ), the vibration of the earphone device  20  in one of the user&#39;s ears is used to indicate the direction of the target, and the vibration of the earphone device in both ears is used to indicate an incoming call (step  310 ); in case the incoming call does not arrive from the portable electronic device  10 , then the vibration of the earphone device  20  in one of the user&#39;s ears is used to indicate the direction of the target (step  320 ). However, if the user has not set the target of the satellite navigation system, and in this case, when an incoming call arrives (step  301 ), then the vibration of the earphone device in both ears is used to indicate the arrival of the incoming call (step  330 ). Yet, if there is no incoming call transmitted from the portable electronic device  10 , then the earphone device  20  does not produce any vibration (step  340 ). 
         [0024]    Therefore, the earphone device with vibration capability of the present invention may activate to generate vibrations in both of the two earphone bodies to inform the user once receiving the incoming call instruction signals, and active one of the vibration unit to generate the vibrations in the earphone body in one of the left and right ears indicating the direction of turning once receiving the navigation direction instruction signal. 
         [0025]    Moreover, the earphone device with vibration capability may also be utilized to proceed with the signal transmission to and from the portable electronic device, by making use of a wireless transmission module, thus reminding the user of the incoming call, without being restricted by the necessity of a wire connection. 
         [0026]    Knowing the invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.