Abstract:
The present invention discloses a mobile communication system that includes a mobile handset and at least two wireless earpieces. The mobile handset can be configured to conduct voice communications with remotely located devices over a mobile telephony network. The wireless earpieces can be configured to be communicatively linked to the mobile handset and to exchange audio with the mobile handset. The mobile handset can enables multiple interactive modes involving the wireless earpieces. At least one of the interactive modes can involve a single individual concurrently using the plurality of wireless earpieces. For example, one of the interactive modes can be a stereo audio mode. At least one of the interactive modes can involve two or more proximately located individuals, where each of the proximate individuals uses one of the wireless earpieces. For example, the interactive modes can include an intercom mode and/or a three-way calling mode.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of mobile communication technologies and, more specifically, to a solution having multiple modes in which multiple earpieces of a mobile communication handset can be selectively used. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Mobile phones are becoming increasingly popular as multi-function devices having substantial computing capabilities. As such, they operate as a portable technology center for telephony communications, Web connectivity, email or text communications, appointment scheduling, contact management, media playback, mobile gaming, and the like. A set of increasingly robust interface peripherals are needed to receive a full benefit of the mobile phone capabilities. For example, wireless stereo headsets/earpieces are needed to properly experience digital media from a mobile telephone device. These earpieces themselves are multifunction peripherals, each having an included microphone as well as a speaker, where the microphone is used for receiving speech input during mobile telephony communications. Currently, wireless stereo headsets/earpieces offer only a limited set of configuration options with respect to voice communication. Generally, these configuration options are to use a stereo headset consisting of a microphone and two earpieces connected by a wire or headband which is active for all types of communication, or a mono headset which consists of a single earpiece with a built-in microphone used for phone calls. Sometimes phone communications are only available in the mono-mode. Conventional options for stereo headsets/earpieces are limited to earpieces physically connected to each other through a cable, wire, or headband. These devices do not lend themselves to easily sharing phone calls between people. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention discloses a mobile communication solution for enhancing options for using multiple earpieces/headsets connected to a mobile communication handset in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. Hardware/firmware in the handset and earpieces can permit communications in either a master/slave configuration or a peer-to-peer configuration. In a master/slave configuration, one earpiece operates as a master and another as a slave, where all slave communications are routed through the master earpiece before being conveyed to the handset. In the peer configuration, the handset is able to directly communicate with either wireless earpiece. Additionally, software in the handset can control a manner in which audio is conveyed to multiple wireless headsets/earpieces (generically referred to as earpieces) linked to the handset regardless of which configuration (i.e., master/slave configuration or peer configuration) is used. Further, the handset software can interpret commands issued from either earpiece and from the handset itself. These commands can initiate different modes involving the earpieces, such as a stereo mode, an intercom mode, and/or a three-way calling mode. Additionally, the software can define a manner in which the earpieces are shifted from one interactive mode to another. 
         [0006]    In stereo mode, the wireless earpieces can function as stereo headphones for listening to music, recorded audio, and the like, with one of the earpieces being used for right channel audio and another for left channel audio. In an intercom mode, a bidirectional/local voice channel can be established between the two earpieces so that users can speak to each other via the earpieces. In the three-way calling mode, the handset can be involved in a mobile telephony session with a remote communicator, and each earpiece can be worn by a different local communicator who are both able to participate in the mobile telephony session, thus establishing a “three-way call” even though only a “two-way” call is occurring over a mobile communication infrastructure. 
         [0007]    The present invention can be implemented in accordance with numerous aspects consistent with the material presented herein. For example, one aspect of the present invention can include a mobile communication system that includes a mobile handset and at least two wireless earpieces. The mobile handset can be configured to conduct voice communications with remotely located devices over a mobile telephony network. The wireless earpieces can be configured to be communicatively linked to the mobile handset and to exchange audio with the mobile handset. The mobile handset can enable multiple interactive modes involving the wireless earpieces. At least one of the interactive modes can involve a single individual concurrently using the plurality of wireless earpieces. For example, one of the interactive modes can be a stereo audio mode. At least one of the interactive modes can involve two or more proximately located individuals, where each of the proximate individuals uses one of the wireless earpieces. For example, the interactive modes can include an intercom mode and/or a three-way calling mode. 
         [0008]    Another aspect of the present invention can include software for a mobile telephony communication device that includes interactive mode handling software and mode controlling software. The interactive mode handling software can handle an exchange of audio between a handset and at least two wireless earpieces. Modes available can include a stereo audio mode, an intercom mode, and a three-way calling mode. The mode controlling software can change from one of the interactive modes to another responsive to a user selection from a selector of one of the wireless earpieces. 
         [0009]    Still another aspect of the present invention can include a method for exchanging audio between a mobile telephone handset and at least two wireless earpieces connected to the mobile telephone handset. In the method, at least one interactive mode can be established responsive to a user selection of an available interactive mode, where available interactive modes include a stereo audio mode, an intercom mode, and a three-way calling mode. Audio can be identified that is to be exchanged with the at least two wireless earpieces in accordance with the established interactive mode. The identified audio is wirelessly exchanged with at least one of the wireless earpieces. The establishing, identifying, and exchanging steps can be performed in a manner determined by software of the mobile telephone handset which is stored in a memory of the mobile telephone handset. 
         [0010]    It should be noted that various aspects of the invention can be implemented as a program for controlling computing equipment to implement the functions described herein, or as a program for enabling computing equipment to perform processes corresponding to the steps disclosed herein. This program may be provided by storing the program in a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or any other recording medium. The program can also be provided as a digitally encoded signal conveyed via a carrier wave. The described program can be a single program or can be implemented as multiple subprograms, each of which interact within a single computing device or interact in a distributed fashion across a network space. 
         [0011]    It should also be noted that the methods detailed herein can also be methods performed at least in part by a service agent and/or a machine manipulated by a service agent in response to a service request. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    There are shown in the drawings, embodiments which are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for a mobile communication solution having enhanced dual earpiece options in accordance with the embodiment of inventive arrangements disclosed herein. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for a mobile communication system consisting of a handset and two or more earpieces in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for changing modes on a mobile communication solution for multi-mode communication in accordance with the embodiment of inventive arrangements disclosed herein. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for changing modes on a mobile communication solution for multi-mode communication in accordance with the embodiment of inventive arrangements disclosed herein. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for changing modes on a mobile communication solution for multi-mode communication in accordance with the embodiment of inventive arrangements disclosed herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a system  100  for a mobile communication solution having enhanced dual earpiece options in accordance with the embodiment of inventive arrangements disclosed herein. These options can permit the earpieces to be used in multiple interactive modes, such as a stereo mode  141 , an intercom mode  150 , and a three-way calling mode  160 . These modes  141 ,  150 ,  160  can each be controlled by a single handset or can operate by the earpieces directly communicating with each other without handset involvement. That is, the handset is used to accept, manage, and relay audio to the wireless earpieces. User selectable controls of either earpiece can be used to manually shift from one of the interactive modes to another. In one implementation, handset controls can also be used to toggle among modes involving the handset, which may exclude intercom mode  150  depending on implementation specifics. 
         [0019]    The wireless earpieces are able to be connected to the handset in accordance with any number of peripheral connectivity standards. Two connectivity configurations  110  are illustrated, which include a master-slave configuration  120  and a peer configuration  130 . The interaction modes  140  can be abstracted from the connectivity standard of the communication configuration  110 . In other words, interaction modes  140  implemented for the communication system involving multiple earpieces and a base handset can be independent of peripheral connectivity specifics for the earpieces and handset. 
         [0020]    In a master-slave configuration, one earpiece  122  can serve as a master earpiece through which all communications to/from the handset  121  are conveyed. The other earpiece  123  is a slave, which uses the master earpiece  122  as a communication intermediary for handset  121  communications. That is, the slave earpiece  123  routes audio  125  directed to the handset  121  through the earpiece  122 , and receives audio  124  from the handset  121  from the earpiece  122 . The handset  121  can include software controlling and handling the audio  124 ,  125  streams. In one implementation of configuration  120 , the earpieces can be physically distinct from each other, where one is designed as a slave  123  and another as a master  122 . In another implementation of configuration  120 , the earpieces  122 ,  123  can be physically and technologically indistinguishable, where handset  121  software/firmware designates one of the earpieces as a master  122  and another as a slave  123 . 
         [0021]    Regardless of the configuration  110  of a mobile communication system, the system can implement multiple different interaction modes  140 . These interaction modes can include one or more personal interactive modes where a single user utilizes two wireless earpieces as well as one or more shared interaction modes where different users utilize wireless earpieces that are wirelessly connected to a single handset. As illustrated in system  100 , interaction modes  140  can include stereo mode  141 , intercom mode  150 , and three-way calling mode  160 . These modes are for illustrative purposes only, and the invention is not to be construed as limited in this regard. 
         [0022]    One personal interactive mode can be a stereo mode  141 , which can be designed to enrich a multi-media experience of a user  149  or to enable stereo telephony communications. Stereo mode  141  can include handset  142 , earpiece  146  and earpiece  148 , where audio from handset  142  can be transmitted to earpiece  146 ,  148  as left and right audio channels respectively. The audio can include output from a media playing component  144 , such as a music streaming engine for playing music from a remote source and/or an MP3 or other music player  144  for local music playback. The music player  144  can further provide audio for an interactive video playback and/or video gaming sound. A variant of stereo mode  141  can be established for music provided by the handset  142 , where music sharing comprises using earpieces  146 ,  148 , where mono-sound can be provided to different earpieces  146 ,  148 . 
         [0023]    In intercom mode  150 , users  153  and  154  can communicate in real time. Intercom mode can include two earpieces  151 ,  152  configured to permit a voice communication  155  between the users  153 ,  154 . For example, a motorcycle rider ( 153 ) and passenger ( 154 ) can use earpieces  151 ,  152  for interactive, bidirectional communication. These communications are local and can be facilitated/controlled by the handset (not shown). The handset is not necessarily a requirement for conducting intercom mode  150  communications, That is, the earpieces  151  and  152  can be configured to communicate directly with each other when in intercom mode  150  without handset involvement. Earpiece  151 ,  152  selectable options, such as a multifunction button, can permit either user  152 ,  154  to toggle in and out of the intercom mode  150 . 
         [0024]    Three-way calling mode  160  can allow for two proximate users ( 167 ,  168 ) to communicate with a remote third party ( 161 ) using a mobile communication system. Three-way calling mode  160  can include handsets  162 ,  164  that communicate with each other via a mobile telephony network  163 . One of the handsets  164  can control/manage multiple earpieces  165 ,  166 , each worn by a different user  167 ,  168 . The earpieces  165 ,  166  can both transmit and receive audio to/from the users  167 ,  168  to handset  164 . Audio conveyed from handset  162  can be conveyed over network  163  to handset  164 , which conveys it to both earpieces  165 ,  166 . Audio that handset  164  receives from either earpiece  165 / 166  can be conveyed over network  163  to handset  162 . Thus, although only two handsets  162 ,  164  are connected to each other, a three-way call can be established that involves users  161 ,  167 , and  168 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating a system  200  for a mobile communication system consisting of a handset  210  and two or more earpieces  220  in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. System  200  shows details for devices which can be operated as indicated by system  100 . That is, a single handset  210  can communicate with one or more earpieces  220 , and one or more earpieces  220  can optionally communicate with another earpiece to ultimately communicate with the handset  210 . In one embodiment, both the handset  210  and earpieces  220  can be commercial off-the-shelf devices which have been optionally firmware/software upgraded to permit the interaction modes described in system  100 . 
         [0026]    The handset  210  can be any computing device able to exchange voice communications with a remotely located device and able to wirelessly convey audio to one or more earpieces  220 . For example, the handset can include a mobile phone, a two-way radio, a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) enabled computer, and the like. In one embodiment, the handset  210  can be a mobile device, which is able to subscribe to a mobile communication carrier to receive telephony communications. 
         [0027]    The handset  210  can include a mobile telephone transceiver  212  for connecting to a mobile telephony network and another wireless transceiver  211  for wireless communications with the earpiece  220 . The mobile telephone transceiver  212  can conform to any of a variety of communication standards including, but not limited to, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (IDEN), and the like. The transceiver  212  can further be a WIFI (802.11 based) transceiver that uses a data network for voice communications in accordance with a VoIP. The wireless transceiver  211  can conform to any wireless personal area network (WPAN) standard, such as BLUETOOTH, WIRELESS USB, ZIGBEE, and other radio frequency (RF) standards. 
         [0028]    Software associated with handset  210  can include audio player  213 , intercom handler  214 , telephony handler  215 , a mode controller  216 , and the like. Audio player  213  can be used to playback audio such as music, spoken word, and other audio. Intercom handler  214  can be a software program which can control synchronization of data exchanges for an intercom mode involving two earpieces  210 . Telephony handler  215  can be employed to control telephony operations associated with handset  210  and earpiece  220 . 
         [0029]    Mode controller  216  can be a software program capable of identifying, managing, and handling changes in communication modes. Mode controller  216  can be responsive to multi-mode selector  224 . Mode controller  216  can cause handset  210  to perform actions associated with particular modes. For example, in a three-way call mode the handset  210  can be aware of input from two sources such as two proximate earpieces. 
         [0030]    Earpiece  220  can be a wireless stereo headset used for voice communication and audio. Earpiece  220  can be comprised of a transceiver  221 , microphone  222 , speaker  223 , and multi-mode selector  224 . Microphone  222  can be used to receive voice input and speaker  223  can be employed to output audio. As such, earpiece  220  can communicate with handset  210  via transceiver  221  to facilitate voice communication with remote parties. 
         [0031]    Multi-mode selector  224  can be a selector responsive to a user which can facilitate mode changes. Multi-mode selector  224  can be a physical control located on the earpiece  220  such as a toggle switch, Force Sensing Resistor (FSR), and the like. Multi-mode selector  224  can allow for a user to change the operating mode of an earpiece  220 . In one embodiment, a user may press a button to cause the earpiece  220  to function as a phone extension to participate in a three-way call. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating a method  300  for changing modes on a mobile communication solution for multi-mode communication in accordance with the embodiment of inventive arrangements disclosed herein. Method  300  can be performed in the context of systems  100  and  200 . In method  300 , a mode change in a multi-mode communication headset can occur wherein an intercom mode is changed to a three-way call mode. Intercom mode can allow for private voice communication exchange between the wearers of the earpieces. A remote party will not be able to hear voice communication that occurs in intercom mode between the earpieces. Thus, the intercom mode can be a “MUTE” variation in which local communicators connected to a handset via different wireless earpieces can communicate. 
         [0033]    The method can begin in step  305  wherein a caller establishes a three-way call to a remote device using a primary earpiece. The remote party receiving the call can enter the voice communication session with the caller. In step  310 , a third party can enter the communication exchange via a secondary earpiece. The caller, in step  315 , can interact with a multi-mode selector on the primary earpiece to switch the earpiece into intercom mode. Step  320  can occur wherein the primary earpiece sends a signal to the secondary earpiece indicating intercom mode is being requested. In step  325 , the secondary earpiece user can be notified that intercom mode is being requested by the wearer of the primary earpiece. Secondary earpiece user can interact with a multi-mode selector to switch the earpiece into intercom mode, as shown in step  330 . The method can end in step  335 , wherein a user using a primary earpiece and a party using a secondary earpiece can communicate in intercom mode. Although not shown, either earpiece wearing communicator can make an earpiece selection to exit the intercom mode and re-establish the ongoing three-way call. 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating a method  400  for changing modes on a mobile communication solution for multi-mode communication in accordance with the embodiment of inventive arrangements disclosed herein. Method  400  can be performed in the context of systems  100  and  200 . In method  400 , a mode change in a multi-mode communication headset can occur where an audio player mode is changed to an intercom mode. Audio mode can include music, spoken audio, and the like being transmitted from a music playing device to an earpiece. 
         [0035]    The method can begin in step  405  wherein a primary earpiece and a secondary earpiece receive audio from a handset. In step  410 , a primary earpiece user interacts with a multi-mode selector switch to switch the earpiece into intercom mode. Step  415  can occur when the primary earpiece sends a signal to the secondary earpiece indicating intercom mode is requested. The following step  420  can be where the secondary earpiece user is notified that intercom mode is being requested by the user wearing the primary earpiece. In step  425 , the secondary earpiece user interacts with a multi-mode selector switch to change the secondary earpiece into intercom mode. The method can end in step  430  wherein a user wearing the primary earpiece and a party wearing the secondary earpiece can communicate in intercom mode. 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating a method  500  for changing modes on a mobile communication solution for multi-mode communication in accordance with the embodiment of inventive arrangements disclosed herein. Method  500  can be performed in the context of systems  100  and  200 . In method  500 , a mode change in a multi-mode communication headset can occur wherein an incoming call can be answered while in intercom mode. 
         [0037]    The method can begin in step  505  wherein a primary earpiece user and a secondary earpiece user communicate in an intercom mode. In step  510 , the primary earpiece user receives notification of an incoming call. The primary earpiece user can interact with a multi-mode selector to answer an incoming call which can result in a termination of intercom mode, as shown in step  515 . The method can proceed to step  520  wherein the primary earpiece sends a signal to the secondary earpiece indicating that intercom mode is being terminated. The resulting step can be step  525  wherein the secondary earpiece notifies the user of the secondary earpiece that intercom mode is being terminated. The method can end in step  530  where the secondary earpiece terminates intercom mode. 
         [0038]    The methods  300 ,  400 , and  500  are provided to illustrate a switching among the various interactive modes of a mobile communication system involving multiple earpieces connected to a single handset. The types of mode switching shown by methods  300 ,  400 , and  500  are not intended to be comprehensive and the invention is not to be limited in this regard. That is, a variety of other types of switching are contemplated which should be considered within the scope of the present invention. For example, a user can shift from a shared music mode to an intercom mode in one contemplated implementation of the invention. In another example, shifting to intercom mode during a three-way call can prevent outgoing communications from either earpiece wearing communicator while permitting incoming communications from a remote communicator to be heard. In still another example, an incoming call can be received when listening to music in a stereo mode, which can cause software of the handset to automatically shift operations into a telephony communication mode. 
         [0039]    The present invention may be realized in hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software. The present invention may be realized in a centralized fashion in one computer system or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for a carrying out methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software may be a general purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein. 
         [0040]    The present invention also may be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form. 
         [0041]    This invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims, rather than foregoing the specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.