Wireless extensions for a conference unit and methods thereof

A telecommunication conference device, system and method for enhancing participation within a conference call. The present application relates to telecommunications, and more particularly, to a conference phone capable of being connected with wireless devices such that they can be used as microphone extensions. In one embodiment, the conference phone can include a wireless interface and a microphone. The conference phone can connect with one or more wireless devices through the wireless interface. The conference phone can receive audio from the one or more wireless devices and at the same time, can receive audio from the microphone on the conference phone. The audio received by the conference phone, through the one or more wireless devices and the microphone, can be combined into a single audio stream using an audio mixer. The teleconference phone can remove echoing effects that are within the audio stream and then transmit the audio over a telephone network.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application generally relates to conference phones, and more particularly, to connecting wireless devices to a conference phone such that the wireless devices can be used as microphone extensions.

BACKGROUND

Specialized phones, called conference phones, are used when several people in a meeting room want to hold a voice call with one or more persons at another location. A conference phone typically has one speaker and a series of microphones that provide audio pickup 360 degrees around the unit. Through conference calls, meetings or presentations can be provided across different locations. Conference calling is viewed as a primary means of cutting travel costs and allowing workers to be more productive by not having to go to out-of-office for meetings.

Nonetheless, a typical issue associated with conference phones is picking up audio of participants in a room who are not close to the conference phone, for example, in a large board room. To overcome these challenges, manufacturers of conference phones have provided the ability to plug extension microphones into the base phone to extend the reach of the audio pickup of the conference phone. These extension microphones are generally connected to the base phone by long wires, which often run along the tabletop causing clutter. Commonly, the microphones have to be moved around so the participants on the far end of the call can hear the speaker. This requires managing the wires connecting the microphones, which often are not long enough to reach the person speaking.

In other instances where the room might be crowded, participants might not be able to sit at the table where they would be close to the conference phone microphones. As a result, the participants are too far away from the conference phone to be heard by the participants on the far end of the conference call. Because they are not at the conference table, it is difficult to get an extension microphone to a location that would allow them to be heard.

A need therefore exists for solving the problem of providing audio pickup in large conference rooms. The present application addresses these issues encountered in conference phones and provides other, related advantages.

DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION

The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the application and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present application can be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the application in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences can be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of this application.

Overview

The present application generally relates to telecommunications, and more particularly, to a conference phone capable of being connected with wireless devices such that the wireless devices can be used as microphone extensions. In an illustrative embodiment, the conference phone can include a wireless interface and a microphone. The conference phone can connect with one or more wireless devices through the wireless interface. The conference phone can receive audio from the one or more wireless devices and at the same time, receive audio from the microphone on the conference phone. The audio received by the conference phone, through the one or more wireless devices and the microphone, can be combined into a single audio stream using an audio mixer. The teleconference phone can remove any undesirable effects, such as echoes, that are within the audio stream before transmitting it over a telephone network.

Numerous advantages can be provided through the conference phone briefly described above. Current phones do not provide the ability to receive audio when participants are far away from the microphones located on the conference phone. Through the microphone extensions provided herein, enhanced participation by users within a meeting can be established. Those users can sit anywhere in a room, even in a large meeting hall where the users cannot see each other, and still be heard by the end participants of a conference call. Furthermore, the conference phone described herein can remove the need for wires in current microphone extensions. In addition to the embodiment described above, numerous other features regarding the conference phone will now be presented.

Operating Environment

Turning now toFIG. 1, a typical environment showing wireless devices104interacting with an exemplary conference phone102in accordance with one aspect of the present application is provided. The operating environment can incorporate a conference phone102and multiple wireless devices104. Within the environment is a telephone network106that can be coupled to the conference phone102. Known to those skilled in the relevant art, fewer or more components can be present in the environment.

The wireless devices104within the environment can be commonly used apparatuses that are capable of transmitting the audio to the conference phone102, for example, headsets. Increasingly, headsets are becoming used as they are often required in “hands free” States. Other types of wireless devices104that can be used include cellular phones, smartphones, etc. While these devices104can transport data, it can also be realized that in some applications these devices104can also provide audio to local receivers such as the conference phone102. In one embodiment, as shown withinFIG. 1, a laptop104or other computing device can be used. The computer device104can incorporate software that allows audio to be captured and provided to the conference phone102. As long as the wireless devices104support the transmission of audio, it can generally be used as a microphone extension to the conference phone102.

The wireless devices104can be used as microphone extensions. In one embodiment, the wireless devices104can communicate with the conference phone102using Bluetooth™ technology. Bluetooth™ technology can provide wireless control of communications between two parties when the two parties are located within proximity of each other. In one embodiment, communications can be initially set up by pairing the wireless devices104and conference phone102. A Bluetooth™ wireless interface on the conference phone102can allow for the connection of standard Bluetooth™ wireless headsets104such as those provided for use with cell phones. Manufacturers of these headsets can include Jabra®, Plantronics®, Motorola®, etc.

By pairing the wireless devices104with the conference phone102, participants who are out of audio range of the built-in microphones of the conference phone102can be heard by participants at the other end of a conference call. Furthermore, participants can be anywhere in a room greatly enhancing the flexibility and performance of the conference phone solution. A GUI menu selection/pairing button on the conference phone102and the wireless device104can be pressed to put them into pairing mode. This can be done prior to a call being placed on the conference phone102or after a call has been established.

It should be understood that the embodiment described above is not the only form of allowing communications between the wireless devices104and the conference phone102. In one embodiment, the wireless devices104and conference phone102can be set up to recognize each other without going through typical pairing procedures. A database storing information can be used to keep track of known wireless devices104that can be wirelessly connected with the conference phone102. This information can be kept from previous pairings with this or another conference phone102or provided by an administrator or some other authorized personnel. The conference phone102can remember recent connections to allow automatic pairing of repeat users. This can provide an expedited log-in procedure removing the need for entering in a password. This application can be particularly valuable in personal office applications. When the user of the wireless device104enters into a room, the conference phone102can automatically recognize the wireless device104and connect the device104so it can start receiving audio from the conference phone102.

Also depicted withinFIG. 1, the conference phone102can be connected to a telephone network106. The telephone network106can be a fixed line network, wireless network, or public network. Typically, the fixed line network can be directly wired into a single telephone exchange, often referred to as a public switched telephone network. The wireless network can provide coverage for mobile communications. The telephone network106can also be a private network which is closed to a group of telephones and connected to each other. A gateway can be used to reach other phones that are not within the private network.

Before describing operations, the hardware and software of the conference phone102will now be described. Generally, the conference phone102, as shown inFIG. 2, can have a processor202for implementing logic, a memory204, a display206, and an input device208. A system bus212can be used for audio data as well as propagating signals for processing the audio. Fewer or more components can be used within the conference phone102.

Beginning with the input device208, a push button numeric dialing pad can be used, for example, those found on a typical telephone. The numeric dialing pad, which is commonly known, can include digits “0” through “9” along with letters of the English alphabet. A multi-key keyboard can also be used. Other types of input devices208can be used as well for inputting textual data. The input device208, as shown inFIG. 1, can incorporate numerous other types of input keys, which will become apparent from the discussion provided below. The input device208can be connected to a serial input interface210where the input is processed and transferred over the bus212.

With reference now to the memory204, the conference phone102generally includes both volatile memory (e.g. RAM214) and non-volatile memory (e.g. ROM216, Flash Memory, or the like). The non-volatile portion of the memory204can be used to store persistent information which should not be lost when the conference phone102is powered down. Within the ROM216, can be BIOS218for defining a firmware interface. The conference phone102can include an operating system (OS)220, which can manage programs. The OS220can reside in the memory204and be executed on the processor202.

The memory204can also include one or more device managers222for interacting with one or more I/O devices. The device managers222can be software installed on the conference phone102. A device manager222can correspond to each I/O device. In addition to the device manager222, an echo cancellation program224can be loaded into memory204and run on or in association with the OS220. While described in the shown embodiment as software, echo cancellation can be implemented in software, hardware or both. Numerous implementations known to those skilled in the relevant art can be implemented within software and hardware for cancelling echoes.

Program data226within the memory204can be used to keep track of paired wireless devices104. The program data226can be stored on RAM214or stored in a separate database. Information regarding the numerous paired wireless devices104can be stored within the program data226. For example, information regarding passkeys issued can be stored in the program data226. While passkeys are typical with pairing procedures, those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that other types of connections and data transfers can be used between the wireless devices104and the conference phone102.

In one embodiment, the conference phone102can be connected to a finite list of paired wireless devices104at any one time. Information about the paired devices104can be stored within the program data226. When the maximum number of connected devices has been reached and a user attempts to connect a new wireless device104, they can be prompted through the conference phone102to select a wireless device104to remove from a list of connected wireless devices104.

While the memory204, as shown, is provided on the conference phone102, those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the memory204can be stored on a server, which can be accessed remotely. Those familiar with external data storage and retrieval will recognize the number of different possibilities for storing memory204outside the conference phone102.

The conference phone102can have an array of microphones228built-in as with any standard conference phone102. As shown inFIG. 2, the conference phone102can include three microphones228. The microphones228can be equally spaced apart and used to capture audio from multiple angles. One or more microphones228can be used and is not limited to the shown embodiment.

The conference phone102can further include a wireless interface230. The wireless interface230can be used to search for wireless devices104that are nearby. In one embodiment, only the inbound audio steam from the wireless device104is used by the conference phone102. Typically, there is enough audio output provided by the conference phone speaker236for everyone in the room to hear the incoming audio regardless from where they are sitting.

The audio from the wireless devices104that are connected through the wireless interface230and the audio from the microphones228can be provided to the audio mixer232. The audio mixer232can be implemented in software or hardware. Typically, the audio mixer232, in its hardware form, includes operational amplifiers configured with a summer circuit. In one embodiment, the output of the audio mixer232can be amplified using an audio amplifier. In essence, the audio mixer232combines audio signal from multiple sources. The output from the audio mixer232can be sent to the bus212where it can be further processed by the echo cancellation program224.

Generally, the conference phone102can include a display206. The display206can be a liquid crystal display, or any other type of display206commonly used in conference phones102. The display206can be connected to a display adapter234. The display adapter234can receive information for display from the bus212. In addition thereto, the conference phone102can incorporate a speaker238. The speaker238can propagate incoming audio received from the telephone network106. In one embodiment, audio received by the wireless devices104can be provided to the speaker236. These communications can be provided over the bus212.

For purposes of illustration, a set of examples will now be provided to show operations of the conference phone102along with the wireless device104extensions. These examples are given so that a general understanding of this application can be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art. They should not be construed as limiting to the present application. The examples begin by showing processes for establishing a connection between wireless devices104and the conference phone102. Continuing, the examples show a typical setup in conference calling.

Establishing Connections

FIG. 3provides a flow chart showing typical processes for connecting the wireless device104with the conference phone102in accordance with one aspect of the present application. While the processes are generally described for Bluetooth™ enabled devices, those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the flow chart can be manipulated to fit with different types of devices104such as cell phones, smart phones, laptops, etc.

Processes for connecting the wireless device104with the conference phone102can start at block300. At block302, the conference phone102can begin searching for devices104. A button press on the input device208, with either a physical button or menu selection within a GUI of the conference phone102, can place the conference phone102in connecting mode where it searches for wireless devices104within range.

In one embodiment, the user of the wireless device104can press a button, which can make the wireless device104discoverable by the conference phone102. Some wireless devices104do not have a button, but instead, when turned on, begin automatically connecting. At decision block304, the conference phone102can determine if it has found any wireless devices104to connect with. When no devices104are found, the processes can end at block328. The conference phone102can wait until the connecting button is pressed again.

When wireless devices104have been found, at block306, the devices104can be listed on the display206of the conference phone102. Information about the wireless device104can be provided including the user's name, number, etc. Typically, and as shown inFIG. 1, the display206is small. To accommodate large numbers of found wireless devices104, input can be received by the input device208for scrolling up and down the list.

At decision block308, a determination is made whether the maximum number of wireless devices104have been connected. In some embodiments of the conference phone102, the number of connected wireless devices104can be limited. Information regarding the wireless devices104can be stored within memory204, in particular, the program data226. When the maximum number of wireless devices104have been connected, the user can be prompted to remove devices104at block310. The display206can provide options that allow a user to remove connected wireless devices104.

At decision block312, the conference phone102can determine whether a request has been made to disconnect wireless devices104. When no devices have been requested to be removed, and because the maximum number of devices104have been connected, the processes end at block328. On the other hand, when a device104has been requested to be removed, the conference phone102can disconnect the wireless device104at block314. More than one device104can typically be removed at any time. The processes can then be provided to block316, which will be described below.

Returning to decision block308, when the maximum number of wireless devices104have not been connected with the conference phone102, and if more than one device104has been provided on the display206, the conference phone102can receive input for a device104selection at block316. When only one device104is found, by default, that device104is selected.

At decision block318, the conference phone102determines whether the selected device104has already been paired. Typically, this can be performed by looking up information within the program data226discussed above. When the selected device104has been paired, the conference phone102can execute processes at block324. When the wireless device104has not been paired, at block320, the user can be prompted for a password to pair the selected wireless device104. In many instances, the passcode is defaulted to “0000”. They can accept the default passcode or enter a new passcode that matches the passcode for the wireless device104.

At decision block322, a determination is made whether the correct password was received from the user. When the incorrect password is received, the user can be prompted again for the password at block320. In one embodiment, the processes can end at block328whereby the whole process would start again. When the password is correct, the conference phone102connects with the user of the selected wireless device104at block324. This can be performed by sending a passkey to the wireless device104. User information can be stored in the program data226of the conference phone102.

In future connections, the wireless device104that has been paired can be recognized by the conference phone102so that the pairing procedures described above can be skipped. In this auto connect mode, pre-paired devices104are automatically connected when they are within range of the conference phone102. In one embodiment, manual connections would be required by pressing a button on the device104or by going into a menu on the conference phone102and connecting the device104each time. Information can be stored within the program data226to help facilitate the recognition of pre-paired devices104.

At decision block326, a determination can be made whether any other users desire to connect their devices104. The processes can return to decision block308where it can be checked if the maximum number of devices104have been connected. Otherwise, the processes for establishing connections can end at block328. When a call is established on the conference phone102, the user of the connected wireless device104can join the call by pressing a “talk” button on their wireless device104.

While one method of connecting the user with the conference phone102was described, those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that there are numerous ways for establishing the connection between the wireless device104and the conference phone102. For example, the wireless device104can be connected with the conference phone102without going through the pairing process because the pairing information for their device104is already stored in a database that is accessible by the conference phone102.

Conference Call

Turning now toFIG. 4, processes for handling conference calls within the conference phone102in accordance with one aspect of the present application are provided. The processes can begin at block400. Initially, the wireless device104can be connected with the conference phone102at block402. Examples of connecting the wireless device104with the conference phone102were given above. Each connected wireless device104can be displayed on the conference phone102.

At block404, and in accordance with one embodiment, incoming audio can be removed by the conference phone102such that a user of the wireless device104would have to be close enough to the conference phone102to hear the incoming audio from the speaker236. By preventing audio from being sent to the wireless devices104, hackers can be stopped from entering into the teleconference.

In another embodiment, the conference phone102can support two-way communications between the conference phone102and the wireless devices104. In large conference rooms, the incoming audio sometimes cannot be heard from the speaker236alone especially for those not near the conference phone102. Utilizing those speakers236provided on the wireless device104, users who are located far away from the conference phone102can properly hear the incoming audio.

The conference phone102, in one embodiment, can determine the distance between the wireless device104and itself. By doing this, the conference phone102can decide whether to send incoming audio to the wireless device104or not.

At block406, the audio from the connected devices104and microphones228on the conference phone102can be mixed. Mixing the audio typically results in a single audio stream from multiple sources. By generating a single output stream, the output from the connected devices104and microphones228can be processed. In one embodiment, before the audio from the wireless devices104is sent to the mixer232, the audio received from the wireless devices104can be muted until a certain decibel level is reached. This can remove any audio that is not intended to be part of the conversation. Muting can take place on the wireless device104or conference phone102.

In many instances, the single stream of audio provided by the audio mixer contains echoes. The echoing effect is a result of multiple microphones228picking up the same audio. At block408, the echoing can be removed by well known algorithms stored in software224or hardware. In one embodiment, further distortions from the mixed audio can be removed. These distortions can result from timing delays, or other known disturbances.

At block410, and in accordance with one embodiment, the audio received from the wireless devices104can be rebroadcast over the speaker236on the conference phone102so that parties near the conference phone102can listen to audio received from the wireless devices104around the conference room. While optional, this can be a valuable tool in teleconferencing. The conference phone102can remove feedback provided by the wireless devices104.

In one embodiment, at block412, user information regarding the wireless device104that is providing the incoming audio can be displayed. When incoming audio is detected by the conference phone102, it can determine which wireless device104it is coming from. The conference phone102can look up information about the user of the wireless device104and then provide it on the display206. This can be a valuable feature, as those who are near the conference phone102can determine who is speaking.

The audio can be transmitted over the telephone network106at block414. The processes can end at block416. The wireless device104can be connected to the conference phone102in the middle of a call or before the call is started.

Presence Detection

In one embodiment, the conference phone102can also be used to detect the presence of users within a conference. When connected using their wireless device104, the location of a user can be determined. Collaboration applications can be used to retrieve that information and apply it to different situations. For example, a software application can receive information that the user of the wireless device104is in a conference call and should not be disturbed. The software application can then update the user's settings on their calendar. Those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that numerous types of applications can be used that take advantage of the presence information.

Systems, Methods and Operations

In accordance with one aspect of the present application, a telecommunication device is provided. The telecommunication device can include a wireless interface, a microphone, a processor, and a memory operatively coupled to the processor. The memory can store program instructions that when executed by the processor, causes the processor to perform processes. These processes can include connecting with the wireless device through the wireless interface, receiving audio from the wireless device and the microphone, processing the audio, and transmitting the audio over a telephone network.

In one embodiment, the wireless interface can be set up for communicating with Bluetooth™ technologies. In one embodiment, the wireless device can be a headset. In one embodiment, the memory storing program instructions, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to limit a number of connected wireless devices. In one embodiment, the telecommunication device can further include a database for storing information about the wireless devices.

In one embodiment, connecting with the wireless device comprises receiving a password from the wireless device, confirming the wireless device through the password, and sending a passkey to the wireless device when confirmed. In one embodiment, the telecommunication device can further include a speaker. In one embodiment, the memory storing program instructions, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to route incoming audio from the telephone network to the speaker. In one embodiment, the memory storing program instructions, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to route incoming audio from the telephone network to the wireless device. In one embodiment, the memory storing program instructions, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to route the audio received from wireless device to the speaker.

In accordance with another aspect of the present application, a system is provided. The system can include a conference phone for transmitting communications. The communications can be provided by a wireless device connected with the conference phone and a receiver on the conference phone, the conference phone mixing the communications and cancelling echoes within the communications before transmitting the communications.

In one embodiment, the conference phone can include a key for pairing with the wireless device. In one embodiment, the wireless device can include a key for paring with the conference phone. In one embodiment, the conference phone can prevent incoming communications from being sent to the wireless device. In one embodiment, the conference phone can include a display for listing connected wireless devices. In one embodiment, the communications provided by the wireless device can be broadcasted over a speaker on the conference phone.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present application, a method for enhancing participation within a conference call using a communication device is provided. The method can include connecting a headset with the communication device, receiving audio from the headset and a microphone associated with the communication device, processing the audio received from the headset and the microphone, and providing the audio to a telephone network.

In one embodiment, connecting the headset with the communication device can include determining whether a maximum number of headsets have been connected. In one embodiment, processing the audio can include combining the audio and cancelling echoes from the combined audio. In one embodiment, the method can further include receiving incoming audio and sending the incoming audio to a speaker on the communication device.

The foregoing description is provided to enable any person skilled in the relevant art to practice the various embodiments described herein. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the relevant art, and generic principles defined herein can be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown and described herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims.