Abstract:
A communication device ( 1 ), such as a headset, comprising a housing ( 2 ) with a housing wall ( 3 ) encapsulating a housing interior ( 13 ). An electronic circuit ( 11 ) is arranged in the housing interior ( 13 ), the electronic circuit ( 11 ) comprising a first momentary switch ( 8 ) and a first actuation member ( 6 ), which can be operated by a user from the outside of the housing ( 2 ), and which is adapted to actuate the first momentary switch ( 8 ). A second actuating member ( 7; 22 ), which can be operated by a user from the outside of the housing ( 2 ), is adapted to actuate the first momentary switch ( 8 ). The second actuating member ( 7 ) is adapted to move independently from the first actuating member ( 6 ). Further embodiments have multiple conductors in the switch for multiple functions.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation-In-Part of co-pending International Application No. PCT/DK2008/000275, filed on 22 Jul. 2008. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The disclosure relates to a communication device comprising a housing with a housing wall encapsulating a housing interior, an electronic circuit arranged in the housing interior, the electronic circuit comprising a first momentary switch, a first actuator, which can be operated by a user from the outside of the housing, and which is exclusively adapted to actuate the first momentary switch. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Headsets and other compact communication devices like the one according to the preamble of claim  1  are produced and sold in a competitive market, where manufacturing costs are essential. Thus, such communications devices are often provided with a single multifunction button replacing two or more buttons. The Bluetooth headset Jabra BT2040 has such a multifunction button/switch which is used for turning the headset on and off, pairing the headset with a mobile phone, answering and end calls. The user presses the button for 3 seconds in order to turn the headset on and 5 seconds to turn it off. In order to pair it the user presses the button for 5 seconds when the headset is turned off. In order to answer and end calls the user taps the button, which means that the button is pressed down for less than 0.5 second. Such a design save costs, as only one button and one switch is needed, at the expense of user-friendliness. As only one button serves several functions the user, the user gets confused. Therefore, there is a need to enhance the user interfaces of such devices without substantially increasing the cost. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    An object of the disclosure is to provide the communication device according to preamble with a more intuitive user interface without adding significant cost. 
         [0005]    A communication device is disclosed characterised in a second actuator, which can be operated by a user from the outside of the housing, and which is exclusively adapted to actuate the first momentary switch, the second actuator being adapted to move independently from the first actuator. Thus, the first and the second actuators can be dedicated to different functions and thus be marked with different functionality, although only one switch is used. 
         [0006]    A momentary switch (preferably normally open) is a switch that returns to its normal position upon removal of the operating force. According to an embodiment, the switch is a push-to-make switch. Such a switch is also termed (ON)-OFF switch. It returns to its normally open (off) position when operation force is removed. 
         [0007]    According to another embodiment, the switch is a membrane switch. A membrane switch is as a momentary switch device in which at least one contact is on, or made of, a flexible substrate. Thus, the membrane switch can be fastened, e.g. soldered, to a printed circuit board, such that a pushing force directed essentially perpendicular to the switch presses a flexible, e.g. dome-shaped, substrate with a contact layer on the underside against another contact layer. 
         [0008]    The actuating members can extend through separate openings in the housing wall. In this way, it is easier to make a clear distinction between the actuating members. 
         [0009]    According to a preferred embodiment, the first actuating member comprises a first push button, which is accessible from the outside of the housing. 
         [0010]    The second actuating member may comprise a second push button, which is accessible from the outside of the housing. 
         [0011]    According to an alternative embodiment, the second actuating member comprises a slider button, which is accessible from the outside of the housing. 
         [0012]    According to another specific embodiment, a movable common switch member is provided between the actuating members and the momentary switch, so that the switch member actuates the momentary switch irrespective of which actuating member is operated. This enhances the possibilities for designing and arranging the first and the second actuator. 
         [0013]    The second actuating member may movable in a direction essentially perpendicular to the movement direction of the first push button, wherein the second actuating members and the common switch member comprise inter-engaging ramp means. Thus, a very clear distinction between the two actuators can be obtained. 
         [0014]    According to a preferred embodiment, a visible marking on the housing wall or the button of the second actuating member indicates that the communication device can be switched on by operating the button. In this way, the user knows that he or she can switch the communication device on by operating this button. 
         [0015]    The communication device can be a wireless communication device. 
         [0016]    In a specific embodiment, the communication device is a headset. 
         [0017]    A further embodiment includes a communication device with a housing with a housing wall encapsulating a housing interior an electronic circuit arranged in the housing interior the electronic circuit including a first momentary electrical switch, a first user operated actuation member, extending through the housing which can be operated by a user from the outside of the housing, and which is adapted to actuate the first momentary switch, a second user operated actuating member extending through the housing on the same side as the first actuating member and which can be operated by a user from the outside of the housing and which is likewise adapted to actuate the first momentary switch, the second actuating member being adapted to move independently from the first actuating member, and wherein the first and second actuating member include distal portions configured to be positioned over the same switch regardless of where on the housing they are located relative to the switch, so that depressing of either button will actuate the same switch. 
         [0018]    Also disclosed is a method of making and using this device, such as, a method of enhancing a user interface on a user wearable headset having a housing, electronic circuitry within the housing, a switch within the housing and connected to the electronic circuitry, comprising the steps of:
       a. Providing apertures in the housing to receive push buttons   b. Locating at least two relatively adjacent push buttons in said apertures   c. Providing a distal portions on each of said buttons capable of reaching and actuating said same switch when depressed   So that when either of said buttons is depressed, the same switch is actuated.       
 
         [0023]    The above summary is not intended to define the scope of the invention but provide an introduction to the full disclosure below and to the claims, which specifically, define the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    The disclosure is explained in detail below with reference to the drawing preferred embodiments of the disclosure and in which; 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  is a communication device in the form of a headset according to the disclosure, seen from a first angle, 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  the headset of  FIG. 1  seen from a second angle, 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  the headset of the  FIGS. 1 and 2  seen from the side, 
           [0028]      FIGS. 4-6  schematic sectional views through a part of the headset according to the  FIGS. 1-3 . 
           [0029]      FIGS. 7-9  schematic sectional views through a part of a headset according to a second embodiment, and 
           [0030]      FIGS. 10-11  schematic sectional views through a part of the headset according to a third embodiment. 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  is a schematic view of an alternate embodiment with a three conductors switch. 
           [0032]      FIG. 13  is a schematic view of the membrane for the view in  FIG. 12  with a non conductive portion  50 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 14  is a schematic top view of a pair of buttons in a concentric configuration. 
       
    
    
       [0034]    The following reference signs are used in the figures and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment.
     1  headset     2  headset housing     3  housing wall     4  first opening in housing wall     5  second opening in housing wall     6  first actuating member     7  second actuating member     8  switch     9  hinge     10  pivot base     11  printed circuit board     12  speaker tower     13  housing interior     14  first push button     15  second push button     16  guiding rod     17  common switch member     18  speaker housing     19  microphone     20  switch membrane, circuit closing member     21  inclined surface     22  slider     23  slider button     24  slider ramp     25  rounded protrusion on common switch member     26  protrusion/distal extensions     27  protrusion/distal extensions     28  common switch member     40 , 41 ,  42  traces, conductors     50  non conductive region or gap   
 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0065]      FIGS. 1-3  discloses a headset  1  according to a first embodiment. The headset  1  is a wireless headset following the Bluetooth protocol.  FIG. 1  discloses the headset  1  from a first side facing the head of a user during use. It comprises a headset housing  2 , a speaker housing  18  to be inserted in the ear and a microphone  19 .  FIG. 2  discloses the headset  1  from a second side facing away from the user during use. A first push button  14  and a second push button  15  for operating the headset  1  are arranged on the second side.  FIG. 3  is a side view of the headset  1 , and it can be seen that the speaker housing  18  is arranged at the end of a speaker tower  12  extending from the first side of the housing  2 , and that the buttons  14 ,  15  extend from the second side of the housing  2 . The headset  1  comprises a Bluetooth transceiver and can be wirelessly connected to a mobile phone comprising a Bluetooth transceiver. As shown in  FIG. 2  the first button  14  is provided with a “phone handset” symbol, which indicates, that the user can use this button to answer and end calls. The second button is provided with a “power on/off” symbol. Thus, the user is informed that he or she can use this button to power on and off the headset. 
         [0066]      FIG. 4  discloses a schematic sectional view through the part of the headset  1  that comprises the buttons  14 ,  15 . The housing  2  comprises a housing wall  3  that encapsulates a housing interior  13 . The first button  14  is the end portion of a first actuating member  6  that projects through a first hole  4  in the housing wall  3 . The second button  15  is the end portion of a second actuating member  7  that projects through a second hole  5  in the housing wall  3 . The opposite end of the actuating members  6 ,  7  abuts the upper side of a movable common switch or bridge member  17 . The lower side of the common switch member/bridge  17  abuts a flexible membrane  20  of a membrane switch  8 , which is mounted on a printed circuit board  11 . Guiding rods  16  extend essentially perpendicular from the printed circuit board  11  through holes in the common switch member  17 . The membrane switch  8  is a push-to-make switch, which is open (off) when the membrane  20  is not pressed down. 
         [0067]    The arrow A 1  in  FIG. 5  indicates a pushing force pressing the actuating member  6  down, which again presses the common switch member or bridge  17  down. The common switch member  17  presses the membrane  20  down and closes the switch  8 . In  FIG. 6 , a pushing force A 2  presses the second actuating member  7  down with the same result that the switch  8  is closed. Thus, the user can operate the same switch with two different buttons  14 ,  15 . The result to be achieved depends on how or how long the buttons are pressed. If the headset is switched off and the user exerts a long press (more than three seconds) on the second button  15  (the power on/off button), the headset is switched on. If the headset is connected to a mobile phone and there is an incoming call, the user can tap (press less than 0.5 second) the first button  14  to receive the call and tap the first button  14  again to end the call. A long press (more than three seconds) on the second button  15  switches the headset  1  off. Off course, other pressing patterns may be applied. Thus, a tap (a press for less than 0.5 seconds) may be used for switching the headset on and off and for receiving and end calls. As the two different buttons  14 ,  15  operates the same switch  8 , the user can use the “wrong” button to obtain the desired result. But the fact, that there is a button  15 , which is dedicated to switch the power on and off, makes it more intuitive for the end user to turn the headset on and off without adding significant cost to the product. 
         [0068]      FIGS. 7-9  discloses a second embodiment, where the two actuating members  6 ,  7  are adjacent and extend through the same hole  4  in the housing wall  3 . Each actuating member  6 ,  7  is at the end opposite the push buttons  14 ,  15  provided with a distal extensions or protrusion  26 ,  27 , which is adapted to push the switch membrane  20  down when the push button  14 ,  15  is pressed down. These distal extensions protrude from the lower part (most adjacent the switch) of the buttons and are in this embodiment, preferably offset, to left and right sides so that when the buttons are adjacent, the extensions are likewise adjacent despite the fact that they are narrower than the button bodies themselves. This make actuation of a single switch possible with buttons which are otherwise to wide to hit the same actuation pad/membrane on the switch. 
         [0069]    The first and second actuating members/buttons are configured to be able to actuate the same switch regardless of where on the housing they are located relative to the switch. This is accomplished in different ways in different embodiments. As mentioned above, in one embodiment, the location of the distal extensions provide this. These extensions can have a lateral portion (not shown) in order to reach the switch from a most distant location on the housing. In another embodiment, bridge  17  helps achieve the same result. 
         [0070]    Contrary to the first embodiment, this embodiment does not include a common switch member or bridge  17 . In  FIG. 7 , none of the push buttons  14 ,  15  is pressed down. In  FIG. 8 , the first push button  14  is pressed down, and in  FIG. 9 , the second push button  15  is pressed down. 
         [0071]      FIGS. 10 and 11  disclose a third embodiment. In this embodiment, the first actuating member  6  is similar to the first actuating member  6  in the first embodiment and extends through a first hole  4  in the housing wall  3 . The second actuating member is embodied as a slider  22  with a slider button  23  that extends trough a second hole  5  in the housing wall  3 . The opposite side of the slider  22  has a slider ramp  24  with an inclined surface  21 . A common switch member  28  is pivotally mounted on pivot base  10 , which is mounted on the printed circuit board  11 . At a first end, the switch member  28  can pivot about a pivot  9  of the pivot base  10 . The second end of the switch member  28  rests on the membrane switch  8 . At the second end, the upper side of the common switch member  28  is provided with a rounded protrusion  25 , which is adapted to engage the inclined surface  21  of the slider ramp  24 . When the slider button  23  is pushed by a pushing force A 4  in a direction parallel with the housing wall  3 , the inclined surface  21  forces the rounded protrusion  25  and thereby the second end of the common switch member  28  downwards. This causes the switch  8  to close, which is shown in  FIG. 11 . If the push button  14  of the first actuating member  6  is pressed down by a pushing force A 3 , the switch  8  is also closed. 
         [0072]    The figures are schematic and parts are left out for clarity. For example, means to prevent the actuating members  6 ,  7  from falling out of the housing  2  should be provided. Also biasing means for keeping the actuating members in a “non-activated” original position should be provided. However, these measures are easy to carry out for a person skilled in the art and will not be explained further here. 
         [0073]    The disclosure is not limited to only two actuating members. Three, four and even more actuating members could be arranged to actuate the same switch. 
         [0074]    The disclosure is also not limited to, but may be especially suitable for small communication devices like headsets, especially small Bluetooth headsets. However, the disclosure could also be utilized with other small devices, especially battery-powered devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, handheld navigation devices etc. 
         [0075]    It is possible to further enhance the functionally of the disclosed concepts without appreciably increasing the cost of manufacture, by providing a switch  8  with at least three conductors  40 ,  41 ,  42  (traces if a printed circuit board switch) as shown in  FIG. 12 . With three conductors, two buttons can have three distinct functions if the buttons only close the circuit of two conductors per button. For example in  FIG. 12 , button  6  could connect a left and center conductor, while button  7  could close a center and right conductor. Pressing both buttons together, would short all three together. Further functions can also achieved by sequential pressing of buttons  6  then  7  and then  6 + 7  together, or  7 , then  6  and then  6 + 7  together. Circuitry can be used to monitor which circuits are closed and in what sequence to achieve many more function out of three or more conductors. 
         [0076]    The separate closing of circuits with three or more conductors ( 40 ,  41 ,  42  where  41  is wider and wide enough to be reached by the distal ends of both buttons) is achieved by either using a membrane  20  which is flexible enough that pressing of on button but not cause shorting of all conductors, but only the two most adjacent the button, or by providing a membrane with segmented (side by side conductive segments—see  FIG. 13 ) to have two conducted portions separated by a non-conductive portion.  FIG. 13 , illustrates a split membrane where black bar  50  illustrates the non conductive portion whereas either side of  50  are conductive. 
         [0077]    In addition to a side by side conductive membrane, the membrane could have concentric buttons  6  and  7  in  FIG. 14 , which have distal ends (not shown) similar to previous embodiments, but concentric and likewise the traces on the switch could be stripes as in  FIG. 12  or concentric regions. The membrane  20  could have a concentric non conductive region like bar  50  but configured for concentric buttons. In such a configuration pressing the inner button would connect a central conductor with a first concentric ring, and pressing the outer concentric button would connect an inner ring with an outer ring and pressing both together would connect all three conductors. 
         [0078]    Like the buttons can be hemispheres where their flat wall in abutment to that together they form a single cylindrical button making depressing both simultaneously quite easy. 
         [0079]    A method of making and using such configurations is also part of this disclosure. 
         [0080]    The above disclosure does not define the invention. That is found in the claims. The disclosure and claims should be given the broadest possible interpretation and include substitutable features even is not specifically called out herein.