Handset with docking headset

A system is provided that includes a base unit that is operable to transmit data wirelessly. The system includes two or more headsets each operable for wireless communication. At least one of the headsets is operable for wirelessly communicating with the base unit. The headsets are coupleable to the base unit for storage and charging.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION;

The present disclosure relates to handheld electronic devices. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, a system is described that provides for wireless communication between a handheld electronic device and one or more headsets and allows the headsets to be stored in and recharged by the handheld electronic device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Handheld electronic devices can include mobile telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld computers, laptop computers, or similar devices that might be able to communicate wirelessly with a telecommunications network and/or with the Internet. Other handheld electronic devices could include portable media players, such as music players and video players. Combinations of such devices, such as mobile telephone/PDA combinations and mobile telephone/music player combinations are also available.

Many such devices, such as mobile telephones and portable music players, can produce an audio output and might consist of a handset portion that sends digital audio information wirelessly to a headset portion. For example, a mobile telephone might include a base handset that can communicate with a telecommunications network and an earpiece that can send and receive voice-related information wirelessly to and from the handset. The handset portion of such a handheld wireless device will be referred to herein as a base or a base unit. The earpiece portion will be referred to herein as a headset.

Transmission of digital audio information between a base and a headset might occur via the Bluetooth wireless communication protocol or a similar technology. For example, a mobile telephone user with a Bluetooth-enabled base and a Bluetooth-enabled headset could carry on a hands-free, wireless telephone conversation. The headset converts Bluetooth signals received wirelessly from the base into speech audible to the user and converts the users speech into Bluetooth signals that are transmitted wirelessly to the base. The base may be worn on a belt, placed in a pocket, or otherwise be maintained some distance from the headset. A user might be able to answer a phone call by pushing a button on the headset and might not need to have direct access to the base to answer the call. The communication protocol between the base and the headset wilt be referred to herein as Bluetooth, but it should be understood that other technologies, whether currently in existence or developed in the future, could be used to achieve similar results and should be considered within the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a system is provided that includes a base unit that is operable to transmit data wirelessly. The system includes two or more headsets each operable for wireless communication. At least one of the headsets is operable for wirelessly communicating with the base unit. The headsets are coupleable to the base unit for storage and charging.

In another embodiment, a method for wirelessly providing audio information is provided. The method includes uncoupling a first and second headsets from a base unit. The method includes attaching the first and second headset to a user's ears. The method also includes transmitting the audio information wirelessly from the base unit to at least one of the first and second headsets.

In another embodiment, a wireless handset is provided that includes a base unit that is operable to transmit data wirelessly. The base unit does not have an integrated speaker/receiver component. The wireless handset also includes a headset that is operable to communicate wirelessly with the base unit, the headset has a speaker/receiver.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It should be understood at the outset that although an exemplary implementation of one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated below, the present system may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary design and implementation illustrated and described herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.

Currently, a user of a device with a separate base unit and headset might carry the base unit and headset as separate pieces. The user might also carry a separate battery charger for each piece, one for the headset and one for the base unit or handset. Carrying four separate pieces (a base, a headset, and two chargers) can be burdensome and difficult to manage. Any of the pieces can easily become misplaced, possibly rendering all four pieces inoperable.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, a base unit or mobile handset device that can communicate wirelessly with one or more headsets is provided with an opening into which a headset can dock. The handset is configured or shaped to receive the headset for storage. In one embodiment, the size and shape of the opening are substantially the same as the size and shape of the headset so that the headset fits snugly in the opening and does not protrude outside the base unit. The base can thus retain the same general form regardless of whether the headset is attached while providing a convenient storage and carrying place for the headset that can prevent the headset from becoming lost. Storing the headset in this manner can also prevent the headset from becoming caught on clothing, seat belts, or other potential snares and further reduce the likelihood of the headset becoming dislodged or lost.

Embodiments of the present disclosure also allow the battery in the headset to receive an electrical charge from the base's battery while the headset is docked in the base. Since the battery in a base unit tends to be larger, and thus have a longer life, than the battery in a headset, the base unit battery can recharge the headset battery without significantly draining the base unit battery. Recharging the headset battery in this manner is more convenient than previous charging methods since the need for carrying a separate headset battery charger is eliminated. The possibility of losing a separate headset battery charger is also eliminated. When two headsets are used with a single base unit, one headset can be charged while the other is in use.

FIGS. 1a,1b, and1cillustrate back, side, and front views, respectively, of a base10, or mobile handset device, into which a headset20can dock. In this embodiment, one headset20is docked into the center, upper portion of the rear of the base10. Since the headset20is small and fits tightly in an opening in the base10, the shape and size of the base10do not significantly change when the headset20is attached. When docked, the headset20is hidden and unobtrusive and may not be noticed by an observer who is unaware of its existence. The unobtrusive nature of the headset20is illustrated in the side view ofFIG. 1b, in which the headset20cannot be seen. The ergonomic characteristics of the base10when the headset20is docked are not significantly different from the base's ergonomic characteristics when the headset20is not docked. A tab and slot, or some other retention mechanism well known to one of skill in the art, might be present on the base10and the headset20to hold the headset20securely in the base10and prevent the headset20from being dislodged.

In other embodiments, the headset20can be coupled, hung, or otherwise attached anywhere in or on the base10in other manners such that, when coupled to the base10, the headset20is more or less obtrusive. For example, the headset20might slide completely into the base10, might attach to the outside of the base10, or might be coupled to the base10in other manners that will be apparent to one of skill in the art. The base10and the headset20might couple to one another directly or might couple indirectly through some other mechanical interface or component.

In an embodiment, the base10includes a charging connector into which the headset20can connect when the headset20is docked into the base10.FIG. 2illustrates a base10with an opening or docking port30in the center, upper portion of the rear of the base10. Charging connectors40are present in the bottom portion of the docking port30. When the headset20is inserted into the docking port30, a charging connector on the headset20connects with one of the charging connectors40in the docking port30. The battery in the base10can then charge the battery or other rechargeable component in the headset20via the charging connector40. It is expected that charging the headset20from the base10will not significantly drain the charge on the base10. In this way, the need for a user to carry a separate battery charger for the headset20can be eliminated.

FIG. 3illustrates a headset20with a connector50on the bottom portion to match the location of the connectors40in the docking port30of the base unit10. If the connectors40in the base unit10were in a different location in the docking port30, the connector50on the headset20would be in a corresponding location to allow the two connectors40and50to meet when the headset20is in the docking port30. The base connector40might be a male connector and the headset connector50might be a female connector or vice versa. In other embodiments, other types of connectors well known to one of skill in the art could be used. Also, in other embodiments, the base connector40and the headset connector50might couple by means of a cable70or some other intermediary connector. In such a case, the base connector40might be located outside the docking port30.

FIGS. 4a,4b, and4cillustrate back, side, and front views, respectively, of an embodiment in which two headsets20can dock into the base unit10. As in the case of a single headset20, the two headsets20are shown docking into the center, upper portion of the rear of the base10but could dock in other locations and in other manners. When the headsets20fit into the base10as shown inFIG. 4a, the headsets20are hidden and unobtrusive so that the headsets20do not significantly change the appearance of the base10when the headsets20are attached. The ergonomic characteristics of the base10again remain substantially the same whether the headsets20are docked or not docked.FIG. 4bfurther illustrates the unobtrusive nature and ergonomic design of the headsets20.

In an embodiment, each headset20is independently recharged by the base10when docked with the base10. That is, two base connectors40are present and each headset20can couple to one of the base connectors40. In this way, two headsets20can be recharged simultaneously or one headset20can be recharged while the other is in use or is removed from the base connector40for some other reason. In an alternative embodiment, a single base connector40is present. A first headset20amight couple to the single base connector40and a second headset20bmight couple to the first headset20a. Each headset20might have a connector in its side or in another appropriate location to allow coupling to another headset20.

This is illustrated inFIG. 3b, where the first headset20aincludes the headset connector50that can couple to the base connector40. The second headset20bhas a connector80bthat can couple to a connector80aon the first headset20a. The connectors80can be of various types well known to one of skill in the art and may or may not include a cable or some other intermediary connector. The headset connector50on the first headset20acan couple to and receive a charge from the base connector40, thus recharging a battery60aor other rechargeable component in the headset20a. The second headset20bcan then couple to and receive a charge from the first headset20avia the connectors80, thus recharging a battery60bor other rechargeable component in the headset20b.

Having two headsets20might be useful when the base10is, or contains, a digital music player, such as an MP3 player. Such a base10might send a Bluetooth transmission of music to each headset20and a user could listen to stereo music by inserting one headset20into each ear. A cable between the headsets20would not be necessary, in contrast with traditional stereo earphones where the earpieces are connected to each other or to a common cable.

When the base unit10is a mobile telephone, two headsets20might be used to extend the length of time over which an uninterrupted telephone conversation could be conducted using the base unit10or to extend the total time available for telephone conversations. The first headset20acould be used to carry on a telephone conversation in the familiar manner. The second headset20bcould be placed in the base10and recharged while the first headset20ais in use. As the battery60aon the first headset20aapproached a fully discharged state, the second headset20bcould be removed from the base10and used to continue the telephone conversation or to carry on a subsequent conversation. The first headset20acould then be placed in the base10for recharging. The headsets20could continue to be alternated in this manner so that a charged headset20would be available for as long as the base10was capable of charging the headsets20. This can further reduce the need for a user to carry a separate battery charger for the headsets20.

In an embodiment, the display screen on the base unit10includes a symbol or group of symbols85that indicate the charge level on the battery60in the headset20. For example, a set of bars or similar shapes might be present on the screen and the number of bars that are highlighted might correspond to the charge level on the battery60. When all of the bars are highlighted, a fully charged battery60might be indicated. Alternatively, one type of symbol85might appear while the battery60is charging and another type of symbol85might appear when the battery60is fully charged. In this way, the user can easily determine when a headset20is ready for use. The charge level display for the headset20might be located in a separate area of the screen from a charge level display for the base10or might be easily distinguishable from the charge level display for the base10in some other manner.

Returning toFIG. 3a, the headset20that might be used with the one-headset base10or the two-headset base10is illustrated. A portion of the headset20that produces an audible output and that can be inserted into or placed near a user's ear is known as an earbud90. In this embodiment, the earbud90is collapsible. That is, the earbud90can be raised from and lowered to a surface of the headset20. The earbud90can collapse toward the headset20to make the headset20smaller when the headset20is to be docked onto the base10. When the headset20is to be used, the earbud90can extend away from the headset20for easier insertion into the user's ear canal.

In an embodiment, extension and collapse of the earbud90can activate or deactivate the headset20. That is, pulling the earbud90out might turn the headset20on and pushing the earbud90in might turn the headset20off. Alternatively, a twisting motion might be applied to the earbud90during extension and collapse to turn the power on and off. Using the earbud90as a power switch in either of these manners can eliminate the need for a separate power button on the headset20. In other embodiments, the earbud90and/or the power switch could have other configurations, the power switch may not be present, the earbud90may not be collapsible, or other variations apparent to one of skill in the art could be used.

It should also be understood that the headset20may not necessarily have the shape or configuration shown inFIG. 3a. Other shapes or configurations that are well known to or would be anticipated by one of skill in the art and that allow the headset20to mount or otherwise be maintained on or near a user's ear could be used.

Under the prior art, a base unit includes a speaker/receiver component that produces an output audible to the user. A user who does not have a headset or who is not using a headset can place a base unit near his or her ear and listen to a telephone conversation via the speaker/receiver on the base unit. In a current embodiment, the base10does not include a speaker/receiver as a permanently installed component. Instead, the user can dock the headset20into the base10and use the earbud90and/or other speaker/receiver system on the headset20as a base speaker/receiver. That is, when the headset20is docked, the user can listen to the earbud90on the headset20in the same manner as listening to a speaker/receiver that was manufactured integrally with a base unit. In this embodiment, the docking port30might be located on the base10such that, when the headset20is docked, the earbud90is near the user's ear.

Bluetooth data transmissions and similar data transmissions typically have a highly limited range. If the headset20moves out of the range of the base10, data might not be successfully transmitted between the base10and the headset20and a telephone conversation could be cut off or difficult to understand. In an embodiment, the headset20is capable of providing a warning when the headset20has moved or is about to move out of the range of the base10. The warning might be based on the strength of the signal received by the headset20, on the distance of headset20from the base10, or on some other parameter. The warning might be a beeping sound or some other type of audible and/or visible alert.

A user wearing the headset20might move some distance from the base10and forget where the base10is located. In an embodiment, the headset20is equipped with a means for locating the base10. For example, the headset20might have a button or some other mechanism that, when activated, causes the base10to produce a beeping sound or some other type of audible and/or visible beacon. The user could trace the source of the beacon in order to determine the location of the base10. Similarly, base10might be equipped with a means for locating the headset20so that the user could locate the headset20if it becomes misplaced.

Other features that are commonly available for wireless bases and headsets can be retained on the bases10and headsets20described herein. For example, a user could answer a telephone call by pushing a button100on, or otherwise manipulating, the headset20rather than by manipulating the base10. Also, a user who is listening to music on the headset20when an incoming call is received can switch the headset20from the music mode to the telephone mode by manipulating the headset20. Other wireless features that are well known to one of skill in the art could also be available on the present bases10and headsets20.

The current embodiments allow a user to purchase the base unit10and the headset20as an integrated unit rather than buying a separate base and headset. The docking port30on the base10provides a convenient and secure storage location for the headset20. This reduces the likelihood that the headset20will become lost or misplaced. The ability of the base10to recharge the headset20eliminates the need for a separate charger for the headset20. This reduces the number of components that a user might need to carry and prevents the possibility of losing or misplacing a headset battery charger.

The system described above may be implemented on a handheld electronic device such as is well known to those skilled in the art. An exemplary handheld electronic device1200for implementing one or more embodiments disclosed herein is illustrated inFIG. 5. The handheld electronic device1200includes a processor1210(which may be referred to as a central processor unit or CPU) that is coupled to a first storage area1220, a second storage area1230, an input device1240such as a keypad, and an output device such as a display screen1250.

The processor1210may be implemented as one or more CPU chips and may execute instructions, codes, computer programs, or scripts that it accesses from the first storage area1220or the second storage area1230. The first storage area1220might be a non-volatile memory such as flash memory. The second storage area1230might be firmware or a similar type of memory.

While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents. For example, the various elements or components may be combined or integrated in another system or certain features may be omitted, or not implemented.

Also, techniques, systems, subsystems and methods described and illustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other items shown or discussed as directly coupled or communicating with each other may be coupled through some interface or device, such that the items may no longer be considered directly coupled to each other but may still be indirectly coupled and in communication, whether electrically, mechanically, or otherwise with one another. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed herein.