Abstract:
A personal portable integrator is used to integrate the services of an arbitrary audio delivery device such as an MP3, CD, DVD, radio, or other media player, with the services of an arbitrary two-way communication device such as a mobile phone, or a two-way radio such as a walkie-talkie, citizen band radio (e.g., CB), HAM radio, marine or aviation radio, and the like. The portable integrator receives and provides input and output signals from both the audio delivery device and the two-way communication device, thereby enabling a user to listen to music or other audio material and receive and place phone calls on a mobile phone simultaneously. The portable integrator provides these services by switching between the audio and communication devices, mixing signals received therefrom, and optionally enabling a user to reduce the volume or mute the signals as desired.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present invention is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/382,960, filed on Mar. 6, 2003, entitled “PERSONAL PORTABLE INTEGRATOR FOR MUSIC PLAYER AND MOBILE PHONE,” which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/370,711, filed on Apr. 9, 2002, entitled “SPLIT STYLE HEADPHONES.” The entire content of each of the aforementioned patent applications is incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. The Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to integrating electronic devices and, more particularly, to novel systems and methods for integrating services provided by personal music players and mobile phones. 
   2. Background and Relevant Art 
   The use of mobile telephones and other wireless communication devices has increased dramatically in recent years. Likewise, electronic music players, such as MP3, CD, DVD, and like players have proliferated. Some companies have attempted to integrate music players and mobile two-way communication devices into single devices. While integration may reduce the number of devices a user is required to carry, a user may unnecessarily discard devices that are still fully functional, incurring unnecessary expense. 
   With respect to music players and mobile phones, various conflicts may arise when attempting to operate independent devices simultaneously. For example, users may listen to portable music players while exercising, traveling, working, relaxing, and performing like activities. However, users may desire to simultaneously place and receive phone calls, activities that may be inherently difficult to perform while listening to music or other audio material. For example, a user may be unable to hear a phone ring while listening to music using headphones, earphones, or the like. Moreover, if a user is able to accept a call, the user may be required to remove headphones, reduce the volume of or mute a music player, pick up a mobile phone handset, or like actions, in order to accept or place a call. This may be an excessively clumsy process. 
   What is needed is apparatus and methods for users to simultaneously accept and place phone calls using a mobile phone or other two-communication device while listening to music, or other audio material using an independent audio delivery device. 
   What is further needed is apparatus and methods to integrate the services of substantially any arbitrary two-way communication device with substantially any arbitrary music or audio delivery device. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide apparatus and methods for integrating two-way communication devices with audio delivery devices. An apparatus in accordance with the invention may include a first electrical connector connected to receive a first audio signal from a substantially arbitrarily selectable audio delivery device, such as an MP3, CD, DVD, radio, or other media player. A second electrical connector may be connected to receive a second audio signal from a substantially arbitrarily selectable two-way communication device, such as a mobile phone, or a two-way radio such as a walkie-talkie, citizen band radio (e.g., CB), HAM radio, marine and aviation radio, and the like. 
   A coupling device independent from the audio and two-way communication devices may be connected to receive the first and second audio signals. A third audio signal comprising at least one of the first and second audio signals may be transmitted from the coupling device to an acoustic device, such as headphones, earphones, speakers, or the like to convert the third audio signal to an acoustic wave having an audio range corresponding to a hearing range of a user. 
   In certain embodiments, a switch may be connected to the apparatus to enable a user to selectively switch between the first and second audio signals to provide the third audio signal to the acoustic device. In other embodiments, a mixer may be connected to the apparatus to mix the first and second audio signals to create the third audio signal. 
   In selected embodiments, the apparatus may include a microphone connected to transmit a voice signal of a user to the two-way communication device. Thus, the two-way communication device may be located away from the face of the user. The apparatus may also include a volume controller connected to selectively control the volume of at least one of the first and second audio signals. In certain embodiments, the volume controller may control the first audio signal (e.g., the audio signal originating from the audio delivery device) so that a user may selectively raise or lower the volume of the music or other media while receiving or placing a call. 
   In selected embodiments, the apparatus may employ electrical wiring to route the audio signals and the voice signal to and from the coupling device. A switch, selectively operable by a user, may be used to connect at least two of the second audio signal wire, the voice signal wire, and a ground wire, to activate a function of the two-way communication device. For example, if the two-way communication device is a mobile phone, the switch may be used to trigger a function of the mobile phone such as a mute command, a call connect command, a call disconnect command, voice-activated dialing, a command to call the last number dialed, and the like. 
   The coupling device may contain any or all of the hardware previously described including but not limited to the microphone, the switches, the mixer, and the volume controller. In selected embodiments, the audio signal from the two-way communication device may be characterized by a threshold value. The second audio signal may be accorded priority relative to the first audio signal originating from the audio delivery device. Thus, the second audio signal may interrupt the first audio signal upon reaching the threshold value. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of one embodiment of a personal portable integrator usable with a music player and a mobile phone; 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of one embodiment of a personal portable integrator having a device-specific link to a two-way communication device; 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of connectors that may be used to adapt the invention to a wide variety of devices; 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of an adapter that may be used to interface to a specific device; 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of components contained within a coupling device in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic block diagram of an alternative embodiment of components contained within a coupling device in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic block diagram of another alternative embodiment of components contained within a coupling device in accordance with the invention; and 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of a personal portable integrator usable with a music player and a mobile phone using wireless technology. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 8  herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the description herein is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, but is merely representative of certain presently preferred embodiments of devices and systems in accordance with the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will, of course, appreciate that various modifications to the details herein may easily be made without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention, as described. Thus, the following information is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain presently preferred embodiments consistent with the invention. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a portable integrator  10  for use with a two-communication device  18 , such as a mobile phone  18 , and an audio delivery device  16 , such as a portable MP3 player or CD player, may include electrical connectors  12 ,  14  to interface with the devices  16 ,  18 . The electrical connectors  12 ,  14  may vary according to the device. For example, an audio device  16  may require a jack  12  having specific dimensions and with a specified number of contact points. Likewise, a connector  14  may connect to a particular communication device  18 . The connectors  12 ,  14  may be modified as needed to adapt to other devices  16 ,  18 . 
   The connectors  12 ,  14  may be adapted to receive and provide signals  13 ,  15 ,  17  from the devices  16 ,  18 . For example, the connector  12  may simply receive an audio signal  13  from the audio device  16 . The signal  13  may be a monophonic, stereophonic, or like representation of an audio signal  13 . Likewise, the connector  14  may receive an audio signal  15  from the communication device  18 . In addition, the connector  14  may provide a voice signal  17 , or other input signal  17 , to the communication device  18  from a user thereof or other outside source. 
   Sheathed flexible wires  20 ,  22  or other transmission means such as optical fibers  20 , 22 , or wireless technology such as Bluetooth may be used to carry the signals  13 ,  15 ,  17  to and from the devices  16 ,  18 . In certain embodiments, a reinforcement member  24  may be used to provide strength at a junction point  24  of the lines  20 ,  22 . The reinforcement member  24  may also be used to form a transition point  24  where wires  20 ,  22  may be bundled together beneath a single protective sheathing  26 . 
   A coupling device  28  may receive and transmit the signals  13 ,  15 ,  17  through the path  26 . The coupling device  28  may act as a controller  28  or hub  28  to route the signals  13 ,  15 ,  17  to an acoustic device  30 ,  32 , such as headphones  30 ,  32 , earphones  30 ,  32 , speakers  30 ,  32 , or the like. The coupling device  28  may also contain a microphone  29 , thus providing a hands free set  29 ,  30 ,  32 , usable with a mobile phone  18 . A pair of wires  34 ,  36  or other communication paths  34 ,  36  may connect the coupling device  28  to the acoustic device  30 ,  32 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , as was previously mentioned, devices  16 ,  18 , such as mobile phones  18 , may not use a standardized jack  12 ,  14 . However, it may be undesirable to provide a separate integrator device  10  for each variation of devices  12 ,  14  that may be available. Therefore, in certain embodiments, a portion  38  of the portable integrator  10  may be provided as a universal component  38  while another portion  40  may serve as a device-specific component  40 . For example, audio devices  16  may use a standardized connector  12  or jack  12 . 
   Therefore, a universal component  38  may adapt to the vast majority of audio devices  16  that may be available. Conversely, many two-way communication devices  18 , such as mobile phones  18  may not have standardized connections  14 . Therefore, device-specific components  40  may be provided having a standard connection  42  that may interface with the universal component  38 , while another adapter  14  or connector  14  may be specific to the device  18 . 
   In cases where devices  18  may have a varying number of inputs  17  and outputs  15 , dead pins, wires (communication paths), and the like may by used as needed to increase or decrease the number of inputs  15  or outputs  17  according to specific devices  18 . In addition, a user may only desire to use a single device  16  for a given period of time and may wish to remove the portion  40  until it is needed. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , while continuing to refer generally to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , adaptability of the integrator device  10  may be provided in various ways. For example, in certain embodiments, the integrator device  10  may include an adapter  44  that may provide an interface  44  to each of the devices  12 ,  18 ,  28 . In selected embodiments, a connection  20  to an audio device  16  may be swapped with another connection  20  fitted for another device  16 , a connection  22  to a communication device  18  may be swapped with another connection  22  fitted for another communication device  18 , a coupling device  28  and an acoustic device  30 , 32  may be swapped with other devices  28 ,  30 ,  32 , and the like. As was previously mentioned, certain portions  26 , 20 ,  22  may be added or deleted as needed by the user. The adapter  44  may use a variety of connectors  42 ,  46 ,  48  to connect to the adapter  44 . In certain embodiments, the adapter  44  may wirelessly communicate with each of the devices  16 , 18  using a wireless technology, thereby acting as a wireless communication hub  44 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , in selected embodiments, adapters  50  may be provided in accordance with the invention to adapt a portable integrator  10  to specific devices  18 . For example, an adapter  50  may include an interface  52  for interfacing with a connector  14 . Likewise, the adapter  50  may include another interface  54  that may connect directly to a device  18  at an input  56 . In addition, other features may be built into the adapter  50  such as impedance matching, signal amplification, and the like. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , in certain embodiments, the coupling device  28  may include a switch  58  to selectively enable a user to connect one of the signals  13 ,  15  through to the output  60 . For example, a user may listen to an audio recording or live transmission from an audio device  16  with the switch  58  in a first position  62 . If the user receives or desires to place a call, the switch  58  may be changed to a second position  64  to connect the communication device  18  through to the output  60 . The switch  58  may include a button  63  or like mechanism  63  to enable a user operation thereof. Thus, the signal  13  from the audio device  16  may be conveniently and selectively disconnected while the user operates the communication device  18 . In this way, simple operation of a switch  58  may enable a user to operate an audio delivery device  16  and a communication device  18  through a single acoustic device  30 ,  32 . 
   The coupling device  28  may also include a microphone  29  to transmit a voice or other audio signal  17  back to the communication device  18 . The coupling device  28  may contain one or several apertures to permit an acoustic wave to directly enter and drive the microphone  29 . In certain embodiments, the coupling device  28  may be located, such as by clipping, proximate the face of a user so that the switch  58 , microphone  29 , and other controls located therein, may be easily accessed and used by a user. Likewise, the communication device  18  and audio device  16  may be located away from the user&#39;s face, clipped along a belt line, in a pocket, in a bag, or the like. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , in certain embodiments, the coupling device  28  may include a mixer  66  to mix the audio signals  13 ,  15  originating from the audio and communication devices  16 , 18 . Thus, the audio signals  13 ,  15  may be heard simultaneously by a user through an acoustic device  30 ,  32 . In certain instances, a ring or other sound may indicate a call is being received by the communication device  18  and may by audible over the sound of the music or other media through the acoustic device  30 ,  32 . In this case, the audio signal  13  from the audio device  16  may be muted or disconnected by a user with a switch  58  while the user receives or places a call. Once the call is finished, the user may once again trigger the switch to begin listening to music or other audible media. Thus, a user may simultaneously hear and monitor both devices  16 ,  18  through a single acoustic device  30 ,  32  and may mute or disconnect at least one of the devices  16 ,  18  when needed. 
   In certain embodiments, the coupling device  28  may also include a switch  68  or other control device  68  to control features of the communication device  18 , the audio device  16 , or a combination thereof. For example, a switch  68  may connect inputs  17  or outputs  15  of the communication device  18  together, connect them to a ground  70 , provide control signals to the device  18 , or the like, to control features of the communication device  18 . For example, a switch  68  or control device  68  may control features of the communication device  18  such as performing a mute command, a call connect command, a call disconnect command, voice-activated dialing, a command to call the last number dialed, or like features. The features activated may vary from device  18  to device  18  and may depend on the device engineering and configuration. 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , in selected embodiments, the coupling device  28  may include a volume controller  72  to control the volume of at least one of the audio signals  13 ,  15  from the audio device  16  and the communication device  18 . For example, as in the previous example, a mixer  66  may provide that audio signals  13 ,  15  be heard simultaneously by a user through an acoustic device  30 ,  32 . When a call is received or placed on the communication device  18 , a user may adjust the volume of the audio signal  13  using the volume controller  72 . If desired, the user may adjust the volume such that music or audio material is still heard in the background while receiving or placing a call. Once a call is finished, a user may readjust the volume to a desired level. Thus, a user may simultaneously hear and monitor both devices through a single acoustic device  30 ,  32 , and may adjust the volume of at least one of the devices  16 ,  18  when desired. 
   Referring to  FIG. 8 , in certain embodiments, a coupling device  28  may be divided into a pair of components  28   a ,  28   b  that wirelessly communicate with one another using a technology such as Bluetooth. For example, a first component  28   a  may include a transceiver  76  receptive to the signals  13 ,  15 ,  17  from the audio and communication devices  16 ,  18 . The transceiver  76  may convert these signals to wirelessly transmittable frequencies  80  using an appropriate wireless protocol such that they may be transmitted to a peer transceiver  78 . The transceiver  78  may then convert the frequencies  80  back to signals  13 ,  15 ,  17 , where they may be processed by the coupling device  28   b  in accordance with a process like those described in  FIGS. 5 through 7 . 
   One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the wireless technology described in  FIG. 8  may be used in a wide variety of different configurations and the example presented herein is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. For example, in certain embodiments, portions or all of the circuitry  29 ,  66 ,  72  or components  29 ,  66 ,  72  may be located in the housing  28   a . In other embodiments, each of the devices  16 ,  18 , may communicate wirelessly with the coupling device  28 ,  28   a  or  28   b.    
   The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.