Patent Publication Number: US-11665465-B2

Title: Headset with major and minor adjustments

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 17/127,446 filed Dec. 18, 2020, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 16/900,536 filed on Jun. 12, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,880,634, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 16/280,908 filed on Feb. 20, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,701,474, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/801,232 filed on Jul. 16, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,219,068. The aforementioned documents are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     Each of the above stated applications is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Aspects of the present application relate to audio headsets, and more specifically, to methods and systems for a headset with major and minor adjustments. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Limitations and disadvantages of conventional approaches to adjustable headsets will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such approaches with some aspects of the present method and system set forth in the remainder of this disclosure with reference to the drawings. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Methods and systems are provided for a headset with major and minor adjustments, substantially as illustrated by and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    depicts an oblique view of an example headset, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a front view of a headset with major and minor adjustments, in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a side view of a headset with major and minor adjustments, in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  illustrate close-up views of an ear cup and headband slide for a headset major adjustment, in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIGS.  5 A- 5 C  illustrate close up views of the headband providing headset minor adjustment, in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is a flowchart illustrating an example process for headset major and minor adjustment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Certain aspects of the disclosure may be found in a headset with major and minor adjustments. Example aspects of the disclosure may include, in a headset comprising a headband, a headband endcap at each end of the headband, a headband slide coupled to each headband endcap, ear cups operatively coupled to the headband slides, and a floating headband coupled to the headband endcaps: configuring a major adjustment of the headset by actuating at least one headband slide in a vertical direction. The ear cups may be operatively coupled to the headband slides utilizing ball detents. The ball detents hold the position of the ear cups with respect to the headband slides. The ball detents may comprise a portion of a ball on the headband slide and holes in the ear cup or may comprise a portion of a ball in the ear cup and holes in the headband slide. Each headband slide may be coupled to a headband endcap via a headband pivot. The headband pivot may provide rotational motion of the ear cups with respect to the headband. The floating headband may provide a minor adjustment of the headset. The floating headband may comprise a flexible band with wire segments that extend from the headband endcaps into the floating headband and back down to the headband endcaps. 
     As utilized herein, “and/or” means any one or more of the items in the list joined by “and/or”. As an example, “x and/or y” means any element of the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. In other words, “x and/or y” means “one or both of x and y”. As another example, “x, y, and/or z” means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. In other words, “x, y and/or z” means “one or more of x, y and z”. As utilized herein, the term “exemplary” means serving as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. As utilized herein, the terms “e.g.,” and “for example” set off lists of one or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations. 
       FIG.  1    depicts an oblique view of an example headset, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  1   , there is shown a headset  100  with headband  101  and ear cups  103 . There are also shown a microphone  107 , a microphone boom arm  109 , a line-in cable  111 , headband slides  113 , headband pivots  115 , headband endcaps  117 , an upper headband  119 , and a floating headband  121 . The headset  100  may be utilized for gaming, phone, or audio playback purposes, for example. In an example scenario, the headset  100  comprises a powered headset. In another example scenario, the headset  100  comprises a passive headset. 
     The headband pivots  115  couple the headband slides  113  to the headband endcaps  117 , and provide rotational control for the ear cups  103 . The ear cups  103  may comprise ear pads  103 A, a gimbal gasket  103 B, and outer shell  103 C. 
     The microphone  107  provides electrical signals proportional to sound waves detected and may comprise a directional microphone for picking up audio signals from the user while sensing reduced background noise or sound from other sources, for example. The boom arm  109  provides a rigid support for the microphone  107 , enabling an optimal position in front of the user for sensing sound from the user. 
     The upper headband  119  may be coupled to the headband endcaps  117 , and slider knobs  105  may be incorporated in the upper headband  119  for adjusting the rigidity of the upper headband  119 . In an example scenario, in the region where the slider knobs  105  are integrated, the upper headband comprises two strips  119 A of support structure, e.g., metal or rigid plastic, between which the slider knobs  105  may be actuated. The two slider knobs  105  shown between the strips  119 A on the right side of the upper headband  119  merely indicate the full range of the slider knobs  105  may travel. The slider knobs  105  may be coupled to a metal or rigid plastic strip above the slider knobs  105  in the upper headband  119 . By sliding the slider knobs  105  downward towards the headband endcaps  117 , the rigid strip may increase the rigidity of the upper headband  119 , thereby increasing force of the ear cups  103  against the ears of the user. 
     The ear cups  103  may be coupled to the headband  101  via headband slides  113  and to headband endcaps  117  via headband pivots  115 . The headband slides may comprise metal or rigid plastic and may comprise a fork structure, where the two tines extend into the ear cups  103  and may have hemispherical ball features thereon that may be slid into detent features in the ear cup  103 , thereby providing discrete headset size settings that are held in place utilizing a ball detent structure. This vertical adjustment of the headband slides  113  may comprise a major adjustment of the headset  100 . The major adjustment changes the size of the headset  100  as well as the force on the ear. 
     The force on the ear is adjusted due to the shape and rigidity of the headband  101  and associated parts, such as the headband slides  113 . Extending the length of the arms of the headset by pulling the headband slides out of the ear cups  103  may increase the force on the user&#39;s ears, as this decreases the distance between the ear cups  103  when not placed on a head, so that more force is needed to expand the headset  100  over the user&#39;s head. In contrast, the force on the ear may be decreased by reducing the length of the arms of the headset by pushing the headband slides  113  into the ear cups  103 . 
     Minor adjustment of the headset  100  is enabled by the floating headband  121 , which may comprise a flexible band with wire segments  121 A that extend from the headband endcaps  117  into the floating headband  121  and back down to the headband endcaps  117 . The flexibility in the floating headband  121  therefore provides a minor adjustment of the headset  100 . 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a front view of a headset with major and minor adjustments, in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  2   , there is shown the headset  100  with elements as described with respect to  FIG.  1   , for example. The arrow in the upper right shows the range of travel for the slider knob  105 . 
     The arrows adjacent to the ear cups  103  illustrate the major adjustment of the headset  100 , where the headband slides  113  may be adjusted in and out of the ear cups  103 , thereby the size of the headset  100 . The headband slides  113  may comprise ball features thereon that may temporarily lock into detent features in the ear cups  103  to hold the setting for the major adjustment. 
     The arrows above the headband  101  indicate the possible motion of the slider knob that may adjust the tension of the headset  100  by configuring the force of the ear cups  103  against the user&#39;s head. 
     In addition, the headband  101  comprises the floating headband  121  that is coupled to the headband endcaps  117  via the wire segments  121 A. The flexibility of the floating headband  121  in concert with the wire coupling provided by the wire segments  121 A enables a minor adjustment of the headset  100 . 
       FIG.  3    is a side view of a headset with major and minor adjustments, in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  3   , there is shown a side view of the headset  100  with the headband  101  and ear cups  103 . As shown by the arrows by the headband  101  and the ear cup  103 , and as described previously, the headset  100  may be adjusted in various ways. For example, the force on the ear may be adjusted by actuating the slider knob  105 . 
     The arrows adjacent to the headband  101  indicate the possible motion of the slider knob that may adjust the tension of the headset  100  by configuring the force of the ear cups  103  against the user&#39;s head. 
     A major adjustment of the headset  100  may be enabled by the fork-like structure of the headband slide  113 , which may move vertically into and out of the ear cup  103 . Similarly, the force on the ear is also adjusted due to the shape and rigidity of the headband  101  and associated parts, such as the headband slides  113 . Extending the length of the arms of the headset  100  by pulling the headband slides  113  out of the ear cups  103  may increase the force on the user&#39;s ears, as this decreases the distance between the ear cups  103  when not placed on a head, so that more force is needed to expand the headset  100  over the user&#39;s head. In contrast, the force on the ear may be decreased by reducing the length of the arms of the headset by pushing the headband slides  113  further into the ear cups  103 . 
       FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  illustrate close-up views of an ear cup and headband slide for a headset major adjustment, in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  4 A , there are shown an ear cup  103  and headband slide  113 , which are as described previously but shown slightly transparent to show details of the headband slide  113  within the ear cup  103 . 
     As can be seen, the headband slide  113  is also shown as slightly transparent to show ball and detent features in the headband slide and ear cup. There is also shown a guide  123  that may guide the headband slide  113  up and down. The guide  123  may comprise a metal or rigid plastic element for accepting a “cross-bar” element between the two tines of the headband slide  113 , thereby allowing vertical motion while confining the headband slide  113  in other directions. 
     The ball detent  103 D comprises a hemispherical shape formed of metal or plastic, for example, in the ear cup  103 , that may be engaged with holes  113 C in the headband slide  113  depending on the position of the headband slide  113  in the ear cup  103 . While only one ear cup  103  is shown in  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B , the features shown may also be incorporated in the other ear cup (not shown). In an alternative scenario, the ball detent may instead be in the headband slide  113  and the hole features may be in the ear cup  113 . 
       FIG.  4 B  illustrates another side view of the headband slide  113  and ear cup  103 . As shown in  FIG.  4 B , the ball detent  103 D comprises a ball/hole feature formed in the headband slide  113  and the ear cup  103 . 
     In operation, a user of the headset may pull the headband slides  113  outward from the ear cups  103  to increase the size of the headband  101  or alternatively may push the headband slides  113  further into the ear cups  103  to reduce the size of the headband  101 . The ball detent  103 D may hold the configured position of the ear cup  103  and headband slide  113 . While the size of the headset  100  is configured, changing the position of the headband slides  113  also configures the force on the ear, as extending the ear cups downward places the ear cups  103  closer together. 
       FIGS.  5 A- 5 C  illustrate close up views of the headband providing headset minor adjustment, in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  5 A , there are shown the headband  101 , headband endcaps  117 , floating headband  121 , and wire segments  121 A. There is also shown slider knob  105  and its full range of travel illustrated by the two positions shown. 
     The headband  101  comprises the floating headband  121  that is coupled to the headband endcaps  117  via the wire segments  121 A. The flexibility of the floating headband  121  in concert with the wire coupling provided by the wire segments  121 A enables a minor adjustment of the headset  100 , as the floating headband  121  flexes with force from the head of the user. 
       FIG.  5 B  illustrates an even closer view of the headband, with the outer surface of the floating headband  121  not shown, for clarity. As shown in  FIG.  5 B , the wire segments  121 A may be coupled to an elastic band  121 B, providing the minor headset adjustment due to the flexibility of the elastic band  121 B, which is not visible with the outer surface of the floating headband  121 . 
       FIG.  5 C  illustrates a view of the headband  101  from below, again with the outer surface of the floating headband  121  not shown, so that the wire segments  121 A and elastic band  121 B are fully visible. In use, the user&#39;s head may press against the elastic band  121 B, through the outer surface of the floating headband  121 , which may stretch somewhat, thereby providing a minor adjustment of the headset  100 . 
       FIG.  6    is a flowchart illustrating an example process for headset major and minor adjustment. Referring to  FIG.  6   , there is shown a flow chart  600 , comprising a plurality of example steps. In step  602 , the headset  100  may be powered up for gaming, phone, or music playback purposes where the headset is a powered headset, or may be plugged into a signals source if the headset is a passive headset. In step  604 , a major adjustment is made by configuration of the position of the headband slides  113  in the ear cups  103  to configure the size of the headset to comfortably fit the user. 
     In step  606 , the headset  100  may be placed on the user&#39;s head, followed by step  608  where a minor adjustment of the headset  100  is enabled by the flexibility of the floating headband against the user&#39;s head. In addition a tension adjustment may be made using the slides, increasing or decreasing the force on the user&#39;s head. 
     In an example embodiment of the disclosure a headset with major and minor adjustments is disclosed where the headset may comprise a headband, a headband endcap at each end of the headband, a headband slide coupled to each headband endcap, ear cups operatively coupled to the headband slides, and a floating headband coupled to the headband endcaps. A major adjustment of the headset may comprise actuating at least one headband slide in a vertical direction. The ear cups may be operatively coupled to the headband slides utilizing ball detents. The ball detents may hold the position of the ear cups with respect to the headband slides. 
     The ball detents may comprise a portion of a ball on the headband slide and holes in the ear cup or may comprise a portion of a ball in the ear cup and holes in the headband slide. Each headband slide may be coupled to a headband endcap via a headband pivot. The headband pivot may provide rotational motion of the ear cups with respect to the headband. The floating headband may provide a minor adjustment of the headset. The floating headband may comprise a flexible band with wire segments that extend from the headband endcaps into the floating headband and back down to the headband endcaps. The force on ears of a user of the headset may be configured by the actuating of the at least one headband slide coupled to a headband endcap. 
     While the present method and/or system has been described with reference to certain implementations, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present method and/or system. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present method and/or system not be limited to the particular implementations disclosed, but that the present method and/or system will include all implementations falling within the scope of the appended claims.