Headphone with enhanced voice communication

A headphone having ability to communicate using Internet Protocol (IP) standard. The capability may be used as a basis to facilitate a user to conduct voice calls using voice over IP (VOIP). The headphone may also facilitate voice calls with users connected via cellular networks (e.g., GSM, CDMA, etc.). In an embodiment, the headphone is provided a wireless LAN (WLAN) network interface such that VOIP calls are conducted using wireless medium. Similarly, a Bluetooth protocol type interface is also provided to communicate with a cellular phone and the communication forms the basis for the voice calls between the headphone and other cellular phones connected via the cellular network.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally headphones and more specifically to headphones with enhanced voice communication.

2. Related Art

A headphone generally refers to an accessory used by users (“local users”) in conducting voice communications. Voice communications entail listening to the voice of a remote user as well as talking to the remote user. Accordingly, headphones contain one or more speakers from which the voice signal of the remote user is reproduced, and a microphone into which the local user can speak. The microphone captures the local user's voice as an appropriate signal for eventual transmission to the remote user(s), party to the voice conversation.

Headphones often also contain arrangements such as straps, molded shapes, etc., necessary to keep the speaker(s) and microphone (as well as the headphone itself) in position. Thus, the arrangements operate to place the speakers around the ear(s) of a user and a microphone near the mouth (e.g., in front of the mouth, close to jaw/neck, etc.) of the user. Accordingly, headphones may be used for telephone conversation type voice communications, without having to use hands for holding a handset, thereby freeing the hands for other tasks.

In a prior approach, headphones are often used in conjunction with other base telephone sets (e.g., a cellular phone or a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) phone), with wireless or wire-based communication being provided on a short haul (e.g., 1-30 meters) between the headphone and the base telephone set, while the base telephone set provides the connection with the telephone system of the remote users for the voice based communication. In general, the voice connection terminates at the base telephone sets, while the communication facility is provided between the headphone and the base telephone set using local protocols such as BlueTooth™, DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications), etc.

It is generally desirable that headphones with enhanced voice communication be provided to users.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A headphone provided according to an aspect of the present invention includes the ability to send and receive packets according to Internet Protocol (IP). Such a capability may be used as a basis to provide voice over IP (VoIP) capability from the headphone. In an embodiment, the headphone is provided the ability to send the IP packets on wireless medium such that a user can conduct voice communications using VoIP without having wire-based connectivity from the headphone.

Several aspects of the invention are described below with reference to examples for illustration. It should be understood that numerous specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide a full understanding of the invention. One skilled in the relevant arts, however, will readily recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, etc. In other instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown in detail to avoid obscuring the features of the invention.

2. Example Environment

FIG. 1is a block diagram of an example environment in which several aspects of the present invention may be implemented. The voice communication system there is shown containing headphone110, personal computer (PC)115, access point120, Internet130, VoIP phone135, VoIP server140, VoIP gateway145, PSTN150, PSTN phones151and152, cellular phones161,171and172, cellular phone network170and music player180. Each block is described below assuming that a “local” user uses headphone and “remote” users use the other phones to conduct voice communications.

The block diagram is shown containing only representative systems for illustration. However, real-world environments may contain more/fewer/different systems/components/blocks, both in number and type, depending on the purpose for which the environment is designed, as will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant arts. For example, only a single access point and VoIP phone are shown, though a number of access points and VoIP phones may be present. Similarly, though a PSTN is shown connected through a VoIP gateway, alternative embodiments of the present invention may be operated without a VoIP gateway and PSTN.

Internet130represents a conglomeration of one or more constituent networks providing connectivity between VoIP Gateway145, VoIP server140, VoIP phone135and headphone110(through access point120). Internet130may be implemented using protocols such as Internet Protocol (IP) well known in the relevant arts, with each of the systems also potentially operating consistent with IP.

VoIP phone135represents a voice communication device (e.g., personal computer system with appropriate components and interfaces, or specialized phones) designed to provide voice communication with other VoIP phones. VoIP phone135may convert voice signals produced by a remote user into digital data (digitize) and transport the converted digital data as IP packets to destination/remote phones over IP networks using VoIP technology. Similarly, IP packets received by VoIP phone135according to VoIP technology (containing voice signals, digitized by the sender) are converted back into voice signals and provided to the local user through sound reproduction devices such as speakers, thus enabling voice communication.

VoIP server140represents a server which enables or facilitates the general signaling functions such as setting up, modification and termination of voice communication using VoIP protocols. VoIP server140may first receive and store the destination address and other details (registration) needed for accessing respective ones of the VoIP phones. VoIP server140may then receive requests from other VoIP phones (initiating phone) indicating interest to connect with another (target) VoIP phone. VoIP server140provides the information needed (e.g., the present IP address) for the initiating phone to contact the target VoIP phone. The initiating phone may then request a session with the target phone. A VoIP server may be implemented using protocols such as SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), H.323, etc., well known in the relevant arts.

PSTN150together with telephones151and152(voice communication devices) constitute a public switched telephone network providing telephony services (e.g., voice calls between telephones), well known in the relevant arts.

VoIP gateway145represents a system which provides the necessary conversions to facilitate communication between telephones151/152(on PSTN) and VoIP phone135(as well as headphone110provided according to an aspect of the present invention). VoIP gateway145receives PSTN voice and signaling information and converts the voice and signaling information to a format compatible with VoIP protocols prior to sending the converted information to the destination VoIP phone over internet130. VoIP gateway145also receives the VoIP packets destined to PSTN150, converts the content of the packets into a format compatible with PSTN150and sends the converted information to PSTN150. VoIP gateway145may be implemented in a known way.

Access point120provides wireless connectivity between internet130and headphone110over wireless path111. Access point120may be implemented according to known standards for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) such as IEEE802.11 set of standards from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

PC115represents a system, which also connects to Internet115via access point120via wireless path111. In general, PC115needs to be implemented consistent with the WLAN standard for medium access and with IP protocol stack as well to facilitate transmission of packets.

Cellular phone network170represents a communication network providing voice and data connectivity between cellular phones160,171and172. Cellular phone network may also provide voice and data connectivity between cellular phones (161,171,172) and other telephony networks such as PSTN, VoIP, etc. using appropriate gateways (not shown). Cellular phone network170may be implemented using technologies such as GSM, CDMA, etc., well known in the relevant arts.

Music player180represents a player which can play music, other audio, etc., (stored, streamed, received over radio, etc.). The audio output of music player180may be made available to headphone110over wireless path118using local protocols such as Bluetooth.

Headphone110provides enhanced communication facilities for a local user according to several aspects of the present invention. In an embodiment, the local user may, using headphone110, communicate with a remote user at VoIP phone135over wireless path111, access point120and internet130. The local user may also communicate using cellular phone160over wireless path112and cellular network170.

The voice of the local user may be carried from headphone110to cellular phone160and the voice of the remote user may be carried from cellular phone160to headphone110over wireless path112using local protocols such as Bluetooth. The voice communication from cellular phone160to remote users may be carried over cellular network170and associated gateways (not shown) well known in the relevant arts. The details of headphone110in several example embodiments are described below.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating the details of headphone110with enhanced voice communication, in one embodiment of the present invention. Headphone110is shown containing communication block210, battery220, microphone230, speaker240, antenna250and enclosure260. Each block is described in further detail below.

Again, merely for illustration, only representative number/type of blocks are shown inFIG. 2. However, headsets according to several aspects of the present invention can contain many more/fewer/different blocks, both in number and type, depending on the purpose for which the environment is designed, as will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant arts. For example, though communication block210is shown as one block, it may contain a number of chips. Similarly, though only one antenna250is shown, there may be more than one antenna.

Battery220represents a source of electrical energy for the operation of headphone110. Battery220may contain one or more cells which may or may not be rechargeable, as is well known in the relevant arts.

Microphone230represents a component which converts voice (sound) of a local user into electrical signals representing the voice. The converted electrical signals may be further processed (amplified, digitized, etc.) in communication block210and transmitted to the desired destination (internet130through access point120over wireless path111or cellular phone160over wireless path112, etc.) for eventual transmission to the remote user(s).

Speaker240represents a component which converts electrical signals representing sound into sound (voice of a remote user). Microphone230and speaker240together enable voice communication between a local user and remote user(s) (e.g., using cellular phone171, VoIP phone135or PSTN phone151).

Antennas250and251represent components designed to transmit and/or receive radio waves. Antennas250and251may enable wireless paths111and112to be established by transmitting/receiving RF signals to/from access point120/cellular phone160. While antennas250and251are shown as attached to enclosure260, it may be appreciated that the antennas may be designed to be etched on a printed circuit board, etc. It may also be appreciated that while two antennas250and251are shown, only one antenna may be used for RF communication with access point120and with cellular phone160, as is well known in the relevant arts.

Enclosure260represents a part enclosing all the components of headphone110merely to shield any unneeded exposure of the components, in addition to holding other components such as speaker and microphone in place. Enclosure260is shown designed in a shape which enables headphone110to be slipped behind an ear of a local user and kept in place without any additional attachments or fastening. It should be appreciated that the design of enclosure260and various other details provided herein, are merely exemplary. Various other alternative embodiments can be implemented without departing from the scope and spirit of several aspects of the present invention, as will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant arts by reading the disclosure provided herein.

Communication block210performs the tasks necessary for providing a headphone with enhanced voice communications, according to several aspects of the present invention. In addition, communication block210may provide for communication with music player180and cellular phone160. The description is continued with the details of communication block210in example embodiments below.

4. Communication Block

FIG. 3is a block diagram illustrating the details of a communication block in an embodiment of the present invention. Communication block210is shown containing processor block310, input/output (I/O) interface320, switches325, wireless LAN interface330, audio interface340, bluetooth interface350, system memory380and secondary storage390. Each block is described in further detail below. Once again, merely for illustration, only representative number/type of blocks are shown inFIG. 3.

System memory380contains randomly accessible locations to store program (instructions) and/or data, which are used by processor310during operation of headset110. The data and instructions may be retrieved from secondary storage390. The data retrieved may correspond to various configuration data (indicating different information such as wireless LAN parameters, Bluetooth parameters, user selectable parameters, etc.) for headphone110. System memory380may contain RAM (e.g. SRAM, SDRAM, DDR RAM, etc.), non-volatile memory (e.g. ROM, EEPROM, Flash Memory, etc.) or both.

In general, processor310may execute the instructions using the data (both in secondary storage390) to enable headset110to provide enhanced voice communication.

Secondary memory390may store (on a non-volatile memory) the data and software instructions, which enable headphone110to provide several features in accordance with the present invention. Secondary storage390may be implemented using persistent memory such as hard drives, flash memory, removable storage drives, etc., and represents a computer readable medium from which instructions can be read and executed by processor block310to provide several features of the present invention.

Input/Output (I/O) interface320together with switches325provides a local user with the facility to provide inputs, for example, to answer a call, to mute the microphone, etc. by pressing respective switches325. Thus, switches325logical represent parts, which can be operated by a local user for providing various inputs during operation as VoIP/PSTN phone or to listen to music.

Wireless LAN interface330represents an interface which provides connectivity between headphone110and internet130over wireless path111. Wireless LAN interface330provides the physical (antenna, etc.), electronic (transmitter, receiver, etc.) and WLAN protocol (IEEE 802.11 standards etc.) interfaces necessary for headphone110to communicate with internet130over wireless path111through access point120. WLAN interface330forwards digital representation of the data in each received packet to processor block310and transmits digital data received from processor310to the wireless medium (111) using antenna331. Wireless LAN interface330may be implemented in a known manner.

Bluetooth interface350provides short haul connectivity between headphone110and cellular phone160, music player180, etc., for example, using Bluetooth protocol type technologies. As is well known, Bluetooth protocol is a wireless communication protocol for short haul (of the order of a hundred meters or less) exchange of data (which may include data representing voice communication) between Bluetooth enabled devices such as headphones (such as headphone110), cellular phones (such as cellular phone160), music players (such as music player180), printers, digital cameras, etc.

Thus, Bluetooth interface350provides the physical (antenna, etc.), electronic (transmitter, receiver, etc.) and protocol interfaces necessary for head phone110to communicate with Bluetooth enabled accessories and devices. Bluetooth interface350forwards digital representation of the data in each received packet to processor block310and transmits digital data received from processor310to the wireless medium (112/118) using antenna351. It may be appreciated that headphone110may be provided with other technologies for short haul connectivity (such as UWB (Ultra Wide Band), Zigbee, etc.) instead of/in addition to Bluetooth.

Audio interface340captures the audio signal from the local user (through microphone230), forms digital data representing the captured signal, and forwards the signal to processor block310. Audio interface340receives digital data representing a voice signal and reproduces the voice signal in an audible form for the local user. The voice signal can be either received from a remote user, music player180, or represent locally generates signals such as voice, alerts, etc.

Processor block310enables the voice communications and listening of music by interfacing with the other components described above. Processor block310may be implemented with one or more processing units (each potentially adapted for specific task) executing the software instructions. The software instruction may need to be implemented consistent with the various protocols, etc., (which can depend on the environment of operation) to provide the desired voice communication. The details of implementation of the software instructions in conjunction with processor block310in an example embodiment are described below.

5. Processor Block

FIG. 4is a block diagram illustrating the general features that may be implemented associated with processor block310in an embodiment. The block diagram is shown containing control logic410, VoIP stack420, IP stack430, WLAN stack435, Bluetooth stack440, input/output (I/O) block450, configuration tables460. Each block is described below in further detail.

VoIP stack420facilitates the setting up of voice calls (including initiating a call with a remote user as well as accepting a call request received from a remote user) and to conduct voice communications thereafter by interfacing with control logic410. With respect to voice of local user, a data stream (ordered sequence of bytes/bits) representing the voice received from control logic410, and sent to the remote user using IP stack430. With respect to voice of remote user, a data stream representing the voice is received from IP stack and forwarded to control logic410. VoIP stack420may be implemented using protocols such as SIP and H.323.

IP stack430sends the data stream received from VoIP stack420to the appropriate destination. Thus, for signaling related functions (call setup, etc.), the corresponding data may be encapsulated in IP packets having a destination IP address (in the corresponding destination address field, as described in the corresponding Request For Comments) equaling that of VoIP server140. The data representing captured voice may be sent in packets having an IP address of VoIP phone135or VoIP gateway145, depending on the phone used by the remote user.

When IP packets representing voice signal are received from a remote user, the headers are stripped and the data representing the voice signal is sent as a data stream to control logic410. Though not shown, control logic420may directly interface with IP stack430at least for sending packets related to non-VoIP operations.

WLAN stack435is implemented consistent with protocols such as IEEE 802.11, and operates to transmit each IP packet received from IP stack430. The IP packets may be encapsulated in a form suitable to be sent to access point120and sent on wireless path111. Similarly, WLAN stack435receives each wireless packet and sends the contained IP packet to IP stack430.

Bluetooth stack440operates to transmit/receive packets on wireless path112(forming the basis for the cellular phone calls and listening to music in the example ofFIG. 1), and can be implemented in a known way.

Input/Output (I/O) block450operates to process the various inputs provided by the user, including those by operating switches325. Data representing the inputs is provided to control logic410for appropriate processing. In an embodiment, the I/O block includes the capability to receive user inputs as voice commands. Accordingly, the voice signal on path314may be examined to determine the specific voice command (such as accept a call, reject a call, etc.) being provided by the user.

I/O block450thus extracts voice commands from local user to control the operation of headphone110and sends the commands to control logic410for controlling the operation of headphone110accordingly. Control logic410may indicate specific contexts at which I/O block450is to examine the voice data for commands.

Control logic410operates to support the voice communications and listening to music, noted above. Thus, with respect to listening to music, the packets received from Bluetooth interface are sent to audio interface340for reproduction as an audible signal. With respect to voice signal received from Bluetooth stack440(for cell phone calls) or from VoIP stack (for VoIP calls), the corresponding data is forwarded to audio interface340on path314. With respect to voice data received from audio interface340, control logic operates in conjunction with VoIP stack420(in case of VoIP calls) or Bluetooth stack440(in case of cellular calls) to cause the voice data to be transmitted on the corresponding wireless path.

Configuration tables460store various configuration data (indicating information such as wireless LAN parameters, Bluetooth parameters, IP parameters, user selectable parameters, etc.) required for configuring headphone110. The description is continued with examples of configuration tables in an embodiment of the present invention.

6. Configuration Tables

FIGS. 5A-5Cdepicts logically the configuration tables stored in secondary storage390in an embodiment. It should be appreciated that only some of the relevant entries/details of the configuration tables are shown/described for conciseness. However, various other details (e.g., whether the headphone is DHCP enabled for dynamic allocation of the (local) IP address, and if not, the specific IP address to be allocated to the headphone) may also be stored in the configuration tables, as will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant arts by reading the disclosure provided herein.

FIG. 5Adepicts the parameters which may be used for configuring the wireless LAN connectivity of headphone110. Table501is shown having two columns (510,520) and six rows (511-516). Column510lists the parameter names for wireless LAN connectivity and column520shows the corresponding values, assuming that the wireless LAN is set up using Wi-Fi technology.

Row511names a parameter “SSID” (Service Set Identifier) which has a text “Group1” as the value. SSID identifies the wireless network to which headphone110is to be connected, by a text specified. In the example, the wireless network is identified by name “Group1”.

Row512specifies the “Security Mode” for the wireless LAN connection as 3. Mode3is specified as WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2). The other modes are Mode0(open), Mode1(WEP—Wired Equivalent Privacy) and Mode2(WPA—Wi-Fi Protected Access).

Row513specifies “Security Key” which is a password required for connecting to the WI-Fi network.

Row514specifies the “Power Save Profile” which is shown as “2” which is for the highest power saving, others being 1 (for VoIP use) and 0 (for no power saving mode). Power saving modes may be used to conserve battery power by turning off those components (such as RF interfaces, amplifiers, etc.) of the circuit which are not being used for a period of time, and turning them on when the component needs to be used again. In the “VoIP” mode of power saving, headphone110may enter a “sleep mode” (where the equipment is powered down except for a mechanism such as a timer, to wake the equipment periodically) when there is no activity (voice data being sent or received as packets) for a predetermined period of time (for example, 50 milliseconds).

Headphone110may wake up when there is voice data to be sent. Headphone110may also wake up periodically to check for packets (representing voice data from a remote user) addressed to headphone110(the packets for headphone110in sleep mode may be buffered in the respective access point till headphone110wakes up) and going into sleep mode again after completing pending network transactions if any. Processor310and the other components may accordingly be designed cooperatively in a known way.

Row515shows whether Auto connect is enabled (value=1) or disabled (value=0) which determines whether when a wireless network is detected, headphone110should connect automatically (when value=1) or should not connect automatically (value=0). In case of a value of 0, the user may provide the appropriate input using switches325to cause the connection to be established.

Row516is set to one value (0) to indicate that the user wishes to communicate in ad-hoc mode (IBSS, i.e., point-to-point with a user without any additional infrastructure in between) and to another value (1) to indicate that the communications are to occur via the WLAN infrastructure (Access Point, etc.) described above.

FIG. 5Bdepicts the parameters which may be used for configuring the VoIP service. Rows551-556respectively specify the service name (an understandable label/identifier, for user convenience), service URL (the URLIP address at which the VoIP server is accessible), service port (the TCP/UDP port at which the VoIP service can be contacted during call setup), user name (to register in the VoIP server and also for authentication), the password (corresponding to the user name), and auto connect (similar to515).

FIG. 5Cdepicts the parameters which may be used for setting various user preferences. Row581is set to an appropriate value to indicate the specific alert type (beep/vibrate/voice, etc.) desired, row582is set to indicate user preference to provide inputs by switches and/or voice commands, and row583is set to indicate whether the user wishes not to be disturbed (do not disturb, features).

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.