A telephone headset system having a network interface device, a head set including a headphone and a microphone, and a foot operated, hands free call answering and call ending element. The network interface device, headset, and call answering and call ending element are electronically in communication with each other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to hands free headsets for home telephone systems, offices, and small businesses, such as hair/nail salons

2. Background Art

Headset users who are at home, at work, or in other places often have their hands busy when the phone rings. For example, users may be working with both hands in the kitchen, in the office, in a hair and nail salon, at a computer terminal or a CAD-CAM work station. Alternatively, the user in question might be a handicapped individual with a partial or complete immobility of the hands. As a result, when the phone rings, it may be very inconvenient for the user to stop their then current manual activity to push a button located on the headset or remote dial pad to answer the call, or to end the call.

Handset lifters are used in the office for remotely answering telephones. In one example of a lifter device, an arm or paddle slightly lifts the handset off the telephone cradle, to a position that allows the hook switch of the telephone to attain the off-hook position. This action is in response to an electrical signal to a motor or solenoid driving the arm. The electrical signal is in response to a button-push at the lifter or some remote device. Automatic call answering can be set on a cell phone or in a telemarketing or call center situation, but then the user can not screen out unwanted calls, like telemarketers. In addition, home automatic call answering does not have an infrastructure or market acceptance.

Thus, a need exists for a totally hands free solution for answering and ending calls, combining a hands free headset and a hands free call answering and call ending element.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention described herein, we provide a totally hands free solution, combining a hands free headset and a foot operated, hands free call answering and call ending element. Described herein is a telephone headset system having a network interface device, a headset including a headphone and a microphone, and a foot operated, hands free call answering and call ending element, and optionally with augmented capabilities, such as redial, #, *, call-waiting, and flash capabilities. The network interface device, headset, and call answering and call ending element are all electronically in communication with each other. The electronic communication may be by hard wire, by wireless (including low power, gigahertz frequency signals, optionally with spread spectrum modulation in “noisy” environments), or by infra-red with suitable transducers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A hands free headset solution, combining a hands free headset and a foot operated, hands free call answering and call ending element is shown in the figures. The system of the invention includes an interface to the Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) or Voice Over Internal Protocol (VOIP) network, a hands free headset which includes earphone(s) and a microphone, and a remotely actuated hands free call answering and call ending element, as a foot operated, hands free call answering and call ending element, a knee actuated hands free call answering and call ending element, or an elbow actuated hands free call answering and call ending element. Connectivity between the PSTN or VOIP interface and either or both of the head set and the call answering/call ending element may be wireless or hardwired, and if wireless may be optical or electronic.

As shown in the figures, asFIG. 1, the system101comprises a network interface device121, a headset111including a headphone113and a microphone115, and a foot operated, hands free call answering and call ending element131. The network interface device121, the headset111, and the call answering and call ending element131are electronically in communication. In one embodiment the network interface device121is in wireless electronic communication with at least one of the headset111, the call answering and call ending element131, and a key touchpad141if present. In a preferred exemplification the network interface device121is in wireless electronic communication with both of the headset111, and call answering and call ending element131.

The network interface device121connects to a telecommunications network123, which may be a PSTN network or a VOIP network.

The call answering/call ending element131is a remote control, as a foot-actuated, knee actuated, or elbow actuated control to answer and/or end telephone calls.

FIG. 2is a high level schematic diagram of a call answering and call ending element131, which encompasses the remote actuated hands free call answering and call ending element131, as a foot operated, hands free call answering and call ending element, a knee actuated hands free call answering and call ending element, or an elbow actuated hands free call answering and call ending element. The remote actuated hands free call answering and call ending element131includes, generally, a switch1311, which may be all solid state, or electromechanical. The call ending element131also includes internal circuitry represented by switch1317and a transducer as antenna1319for radio frequency signals.

FIG. 3illustrates a high level schematic view of the head set111, call answering and ending element131, and a network interface device121in a hard wired implementation of my invention. The remote actuated hands free call answering and call ending element131includes, generally, a switch1311, which may be all solid state, or electromechanical. The call ending element131also includes internal circuitry represented by switch1317and conductors, as conductors1321and1323, for the + and − signals, connected to the network interface device121for integration with the headset111.

FIG. 4is a high level schematic view of a wireless implementation of the invention with a head set111, call answering and ending element131, and a network interface device121. The remote actuated hands free call answering and call ending element131includes, generally, a switch1311, which may control a transistor. The call ending element131also includes internal circuitry represented by switch1317and a transducer, as antenna1319for wireless connection to the network interface device121for integration with the headset111.

The remote call answering and ending element131, as the foot control, may be conveniently placed in a desk leg well or in a stowaway compartment in a kitchen wall so that the user can “kick” it open or closed, depending on whether it is in use.

The call answering and ending unit may also be a wireless system, as a Bluetooth system, to enable portability, for example from room to room, or cubicle to cubicle, within range of the network interface device121. A wireless call answering and ending unit131would typically have a unique “signature.” This signature could be a sequence of 0's and 1's, or, in a spread spectrum or Bluetooth implementation, a unique frequency pattern.

In the exemplification ofFIGS. 1,4, and5the hands free call answering and ending element131communicates with network interface device121by transmitting a wireless, electromagnetic signal. This wireless, electromagnetic signal may be a radio signal, for example a radio signal with a frequency offset from the system carrier signal or from the voice signal, to avoid interference with, or contamination of the system carrier signal. For example, where the system carrier signal is a 900 megahertz signal, the call answering and ending signal may be an 840 megahertz signal or an 870 megahertz signal, or a 930 megahertz signal, or a 960 megahertz signal. The signal itself may include a multi digit code, either encrypted or plain, and unique to the network interface device. This has the advantage of avoiding the electromechanical complexity of a cradle lifter device.

FIG. 5illustrates a system level schematic diagram of an integrated system of the invention with a network interface device121, a headset111, and the hands free call answering and ending element131, and an optional keypad (not illustrated). The network interface device121is connected to a network123through a phone line interface. The network interface device121includes power components1221and radio components. The radio components include an audio amplifier1215and a transmitter/receiver1213, and an antenna1219for communication with the headset111and the hands free call answering and ending element131.

FIG. 5further illustrates the headset111including the radio components, such as an audio amplifier1115and a transmitter/receiver1113, a ringer/buzzer1118to indicate an incoming call, an antenna1119, a battery1121, and the headset1111including a microphone and a speaker, where typically the speaker is an earpiece.

FIG. 5also illustrates the hands free call answering and ending element131communicating with the network interface device121by transmitting an wireless, electromagnetic signal. The hands free call answering and ending element131includes an amplifier1315, a transmitter137, and an antenna1319for communicating with the network interface device121by transmitting the wireless, electromagnetic signal to the network interface device121, with the antenna1319for carrying signals from the hands free call answering and ending element131to the network interface device121, and a battery1321.

The totally hands free system described herein makes it much more convenient for a user, who is otherwise occupied, to answer and end calls. A further advantage is that missed calls, that go over to voice mail, are reduced because it is not necessary to “break rhythm” to put down work and pick up a hand set or keypad.

While the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to certain preferred embodiments and exemplifications, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention thereby, but solely by the claims appended hereto.