Patent Publication Number: US-2012045082-A1

Title: Headset with electrostatic discharge reduction

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the invention relate generally to headsets and particularly headsets used with mobile or portable computing devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Wearable, mobile and/or portable computing devices, or terminals, are used for a wide variety of tasks. Such devices allow workers using them to maintain mobility, while providing the worker with desirable computing and data-processing functions. Furthermore, such devices may provide a communication link to a more powerful and centralized computer system, which further handles the organization of the tasks being performed. An overall integrated system may involve a combination of a central computer system for tracking and management of the tasks, a plurality of mobile devices and associated peripherals, as well as the people (“users”) who use the devices and interface with the devices and/or the computer system. 
     To provide an interface between the central computer system and the workers, wearable devices are oftentimes voice-enabled; i.e., are operated using human speech inputs and outputs. As such, the central computer and devices incorporate speech recognition technology and text-to-speech technology. To communicate in a voice-enabled system, for example, headsets are utilized by the user to interface with the portable computing devices. The speech input is provided to the computing devices through a microphone while speech output is provided to the user through a speaker. Thus, users are able to receive voice instructions, ask questions, report the progress of their tasks, collect data, and report working conditions, for example. 
     One drawback with conventional headsets is that users can build up a static charge. When a user puts on a headset, this static charge is often discharged by the user through the circuitry of the headset, such as the microphone or the speaker. Therefore, the static charge is directed to the user&#39;s head. Thus, the user perceives being shocked on the head, such as at the mouth or ear, both of which are sensitive areas of the user&#39;s body. This can cause users to dislike such headsets and eschew them for communication, which results in a lower quality of speech input, missed speech output, and a general decrease in efficiency. These electrostatic discharges can further harm circuitry of the headsets, rendering them inoperable. Thus, it is desirable to provide a headset to overcome those issues. 
     Attempts in the past to protect a person from the static discharge or electro-static discharge have often been directed to complicated systems that a person has to wear or engage with while working. Generally, such systems are often directed to stationary positioning of a person, such as at a desk or workstation. As such, existing systems would interfere with the movements of a person and tasks that they may perform while mobile, such as within a voice-enabled work system where a worker or user travels between different locations. Furthermore, existing attempts to insulate certain components of an electrical system are not desirable, because they increase the size and the weight of the various components. As may be appreciated, it is desirable to keep a headset that is worn by a user as lightweight as possible so that it is not cumbersome, and heavy on the head of a user. Such headsets, as used in voice-enabled systems, for example, are often worn for long periods of time. Therefore, weight and comfort is of paramount concern. 
     Accordingly, it would be desirable to address the problems and shortcomings within the prior art and to provide active protection for the person wearing the headset, particularly a person wearing a headset for an extended period of time. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the invention provide for a headset and system that is designed to provide a dedicated electrical path to a portable device such that the perception of static discharge from the user is substantially reduced or eliminated. Specifically, the headset includes an electrically conductive band and a headpiece that includes an electrically conductive portion that is configured to engage and electrically couple to the user&#39;s head. The headpiece is also electrically coupled with the conductive band. The headset further includes an earpiece assembly that is coupled with the conductive band to engage an ear of a user. The earpiece assembly has a ground conductor that is electrically coupled between the conductive band and a portable device for coupling the portable device to the head of a user. The invention reduces or eliminates the electrostatic discharge at the head of the user of the portable device. 
     These and other advantages will be apparent in light of the following figures and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of a portable device and a headset, both as worn by a user, consistent with embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of the headset of  FIG. 1  that further illustrates a temple headpiece and an earpiece assembly thereof; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration showing details of the temple headpiece of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4A  is cross-sectional view of a portion of one embodiment of the temple headpiece of  FIG. 3  taken along the line  4 A- 4 A illustrating the electrical connection of the temple headpiece to a band of the headset; 
         FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an alternative embodiment of the temple headpiece of  FIG. 3 , similar to  FIG. 4A , illustrating the electrical connection of the temple headpiece to a band of the headset; 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of the earpiece assembly of  FIG. 2  with its outer housing removed showing the internal components of that earpiece assembly; and 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the earpiece assembly of  FIG. 5  along the line  6 - 6  illustrating the electrical connection of the band to a ground connection of the device. 
     
    
    
     It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various features illustrative of the embodiments of the invention. The specific design features as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, values, and shapes of various illustrated components will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment. Certain features of the embodiments of the invention may have been enlarged, distorted or otherwise rendered differently relative to others to facilitate visualization and clear understanding. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Turning to the drawings, wherein like numbers denote like parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  is an illustration of a portable and/or wearable computer or device  10  (e.g., “portable device”  10  or, more simply, “device”  10 ) and a peripheral device or headset  12  (hereinafter, “headset”  12 ) consistent with embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, the device  10  is a wearable device, which may be worn by a user  14 , such as on a belt  16  as shown. In alternative embodiments, the device  10  is carried or otherwise transported, such as on a lift truck. 
     In some embodiments, a suitable device  10  may be TALKMAN® or ACCUNURSE® wearable computers or computing devices distributed through Vocollect, Inc., of Pittsburgh, Pa. The device  10  may be used in a voice-enabled system, which uses speech recognition technology for the execution of work tasks, documentation and/or communication. The headset  12  provides hands-free voice communication between the user  14  and the device  10 . For example, in one embodiment, the device  10  has a text-to-speech functionality and converts program code instructions to speech dialog (e.g., audio output) to be provided to the user  14  through the headset  12 . The user  14  then replies, via speech input, which is converted to a useable digital format (e.g., machine readable input) using a speech recognition functionality to be further processed. 
     The headset  12  is coupled to the device  10  through a cord or cable  18  and a suitable connector  20 . The headset  12  includes a speaker  22  that plays speech output (e.g., such as to instruct the user  14  to perform an action), and a microphone  24  that captures speech input from the user  14  (e.g., such as for conversion to machine readable input by the device  10 ). The user  14  thus interfaces with the device  10  hands-free through the headset  12 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective illustration of the headset  12  illustrating that the headset  12  includes a support band  30 , a headpiece  32 , and an earpiece assembly  34 . The support band  30  is configured to engage a portion of a head of a user, such as to wrap around or surround at least a portion of the head of the user  14 . The headpiece  32  and earpiece assembly  34  are configured to engage a user&#39;s head on opposite sides of the headset. Therefore, in one embodiment, the headpiece  32  and earpiece assembly  34  are coupled to the support band  30  on opposite sides thereof. As such, the support band  30  is shaped to generally correspond to the circumference of the head of the user  14  and configured to be supported by the ears of the user  14 . 
     To that end, the support band  30  thus includes two curved sections as at  35  that may at least partially conform to extend over to the top of the ears of the user  14  for support thereby. When the band  30  is positioned on the head with the curved sections  35  over both ears, the headpiece  32  lies generally against the temple of the user, while earpiece assembly  34  is preferably over one of the user&#39;s ears. Each curved section  35  of the support band  30  may be covered by a foam or rubber sheath  36  for greater user comfort. The headset  12  also includes an adjustable headpiece strap  37  that can also be used to hold the headset  12  to the head of the user  14 . The strap  37  may be formed of a suitable stretchable material, such as a foam or rubber, for comfort and also to grip a user&#39;s head. In this manner, the support band  30 , temple headpiece  32 , earpiece assembly  34 , and/or headpiece strap  37  are configured to support the speaker  22 , located in the earpiece assembly  34 , at about the location of an ear of the user  14  and the microphone  24 , located at the end of a microphone boom  38 , at about the location of the mouth of the user  14 . Boom  38  may be flexible for positioning of the microphone  24  with respect to the user&#39;s mouth. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the headpiece includes an electrically conductive portion that is configured to engage a user&#39;s head. Specifically, an exposed skin area of the user&#39;s head, such as the temple region, is contacted by the headpiece. The temple headpiece  32  includes a pad  40  and a temple headpiece housing  41 , while the earpiece assembly  34  includes an inner housing  42  and an outer housing  43  that come together in a generally clam-shell arrangement. The pad  40  is made of a conductive material, such as an electrically conductive foam. The earpiece assembly  34  accepts and attaches to the cord  18  from the device  10  to electrically connect the speaker  22  and the microphone  24  to the device  10 , as well as to electrically connect the user  14  to the ground potential of the device  10  as will be discussed below. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 A- 4 B, and  5 - 6 , the support band  30  includes an electrically conductive support member  44  (e.g., an electrically conductive band) that is configured to surround a portion of a user&#39;s head. The support member  44  is manufactured from a conductive material, such as a suitable metal. In one specific embodiment, the headband is a stainless steel rod that is shaped to generally correspond to the circumference of the head of the user  14 . The support member might be covered at least partially by a sheath  46 . The sheath  46  may be formed of a suitable rubber, plastic or foam material that is not electrically conductive and so is configured to electrically isolate a portion of the support member  44  that wraps around the head of the user  14 . 
     The support member  44  is configured to be in electrical communication or electrically coupled with the conductive pad  40  and thus, when the headset  12  is worn, with the head of the user  14  through headpiece  32 . In one embodiment, and as illustrated in  FIG. 4A , the support member  44  extends into the temple headpiece  32  and is connected to, and electrically coupled with, an electrically conductive element, such as a metal ball  48 . The ball  48  may be manufactured from metal, and in specific embodiments may be stainless steel. As such, the end of the support member  44  may be welded, soldered, or otherwise threaded onto and/or into the ball  48 . 
     The ball  48  and member  44  are in electrical communication with at least one conductive plate  50 . The plate  50  may be formed of metal and serves as a backing plate to conductive pad  40  and is electrically coupled with the pad to provide a good electrical connection between the plate  50  and the pad  40 . The pad might be electrically coupled to the plate in a number of ways. The metal plate  50  may be rectangular or have a shape generally corresponding to that of the conductive pad  40 . In one embodiment, at least a portion of the metal plate  50  may be attached to the foam pad  40  through an electrically conductive adhesive. The electrical connection between the ball  48  and the metal plate  50  is maintained by the compressive force that the support member  44  exerts on the metal plate  50  when the headset  12  is worn on the head of the user  14 . The metal plate  50 , and thus the foam pad  40 , is held to the temple headpiece housing  41  by at least one headpiece attachment structure  52 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B , a first portion of a headpiece attachment structure  52  is coupled or attached to the temple headpiece housing  41 , while a second portion of the headpiece attachment structure  52  is coupled or attached to the metal plate  50  and the foam pad  40 . In specific embodiments, the headpiece attachment structure  52  may be a screw or other fastener that interacts with a threaded portion of the headpiece housing  41 . 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the headpiece  32  is moveable in various directions to provide good electrical contact with the head of a user when the headset is worn. The ball  48  moving in the headpiece  32  provides a universal joint for the pad that allows universal movement of the temple headpiece  32  in various directions to establish comfort and good electrical and physical contact with the head of the user  14 . The ball  48  is held between the temple headpiece  32  and the metal plate  50  by engagement of the ball  48  with portions or walls of the housing  41 , such as walls  51  and  53 . The walls form curved surfaces  59 ,  57  on the inside of the housing that engage and capture the ball and provide for universal movement of headpiece  32  as the ball moves or rolls against surfaces  57 ,  59 . Other housing walls, not shown by the cross-sectional view of the housing in the Figures, will also engage and capture the ball. This embodiment allows the temple headpiece  32  to rotate and/or move in many directions such that the user  14  is provided with improved comfort and/or improved electrical contact with the headpiece  32 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, and as illustrated in  FIG. 4B , the temple headpiece  32  may not include a universal joint or a ball  48 . Rather, the foam pad  40  may be electrically coupled with the support member  44  through metal plate  50 . The metal plate is configured to be in electrical communication with the support member  44  through at least one projection that extends from plate  50 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4B , multiple projections  58   a - b - c  are configured to contact the support member  44 . The projections  58   a ,  58   b  provide metal-to-metal contact with member  44  to provide electrical coupling between member  44  and plate  50 , and pad  40 . The support band  30  is inserted through an aperture of the temple headpiece  32  and also held in place by multiple projections or walls  59   a - b - c  from the temple headpiece housing  41 . An unsheathed portion of the support member  44  is in contact with projection  58   a  and is inserted through an aperture of the projection  58   b . As such, the support member  44  is supported by, and electrically coupled with, the first projection  58   a  and the second projection  58   b . Each of the projections  58   a - c  are manufactured from the electrically conductive material of plate  50 , such as stainless steel, such that the support member  44  is electrically coupled with plate  50  and thus the foam pad  40 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4B , at least a portion of the support member  44  in the temple headpiece  32 , and particularly an end of the support member  44  in the headpiece  32 , is curved or formed to hold the plate  50  in contact with member  44 . For example, end  45  might be bent or shaped as shown in  FIG. 4B . The support member  44  is thus prevented from being pulled out of the aperture in the second projection  58   b  and the temple headpiece  32 . At least a portion of the metal plate  50  may be attached to the foam pad  40  through a conductive adhesive. In any event, the plate  50  is electrically coupled with the foam pad  40 . The temple headpiece  32  illustrated in  FIG. 4B  allows rotation along the primary axis defined by a length of the support member  44  that extends into the temple headpiece  32 . This provides for some adjustment in headpiece  32  so as to maintain good physical and electrical contact with the user&#39;s head while still being comfortable to a user. 
     Thus, an electrical path is provided from the foam pad  40  to the support member  44  in the temple headpiece  32 . The support member  44 , in turn, provides an electrical path to the earpiece assembly  34 , and specifically an electrical path from the foam pad  40  to the earpiece assembly  34  so as to provide a conductive path to a ground reference, as explained below. 
       FIG. 5  is an illustration of at least some of the electrical connections and components in the earpiece assembly  34 , and in particular is an illustration of the earpiece assembly  34  with the outer housing  43  removed. The support band  30  engages and is secured to the earpiece assembly  34 . Inside the earpiece assembly  34 , at least a portion of the support member  44  is bare metal and is exposed (e.g., it is not sheathed by the support member sheath  46  inside the earpiece assembly  34 ). The support member  44  is held in place by a series of retention ribs  60 - 66 , which may be integral to the lower housing  42  of the earpiece assembly  34 . The retention ribs  60 - 66  include ribs  60 ,  62 , and  64  that contact the bare support member  44  when it enters the housing, and when it is bent at an angle of about 90°. Support rib  64  captures the support member  44  from its sides and below. Retention rib  66  is substantially U-shaped and receives and secures the end of the support member  44 . The ribs  60 - 66  are designed to prevent lateral movement or removal, of the support member  44  with respect to the earpiece assembly  34  when the earpiece assembly  34  is assembled. The earpiece assembly rotates slightly around the member  44  for adjustment and comfort. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the cord  18  from the device  10  is received by the earpiece assembly  34  and contains a plurality of conductors to connect to the components of the headset  12 . Specifically, a speaker line  68  is connected to the speaker  22 , a microphone line  70  is connected to the microphone  24 , and a ground line or conductor  72  is electrically coupled with the support member  44 . The ground conductor  72  is manufactured from a suitable metal, and may be a bare copper conductor line. The ground conductor is electrically connected to a ground reference provided by the device  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Therefore, earpiece assembly  34  has a ground conductor that is electrically coupled between the conductive band and the device. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the ground conductor  72  is electrically coupled to the metal of support member  44  to ground the member  44  and also to provide a ground path to pad  40  and the skin in the temple area of a user&#39;s head. The ground conductor  72  is positioned between the support member  44  and the rib  64  such that, when the earpiece assembly  34  is assembled, the support member  44  is captured and forced against conductor  72  to thereby be electrically coupled with the ground conductor  72 . Specifically,  FIG. 6  illustrates that a projection  74  from the outer housing  43  is configured to push down against the end of member  44  proximate the retention rib  64  to hold the support member  44  against the ground conductor  72  and the support rib  64  when the earpiece assembly  34  is assembled. The ground conductor is thus “smashed” against the member  44 . The ground conductor  72  is thus operable to maintain the headset  12  and device  10  at the same ground potential. The rib  64 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , may include a notch  65  formed therein to receive ground line  72  in the proper position to be appropriately pressed against and into electrical contact with the support member when the headset is assembled. 
     Embodiments of the invention address drawbacks in the prior art by establishing electrical ground connection between a device  10  and a headset  12  to maintain the headset  12  and the device  10  at the same ground potential. The headset  12  includes components that establish electrical coupling between the head of user  14  and the headset  12 , and thus the device  10 , through a universally movable or rotatable temple headpiece  32 . Embodiments of the invention particularly provide a ground path to the user  14  that is seamlessly incorporated into the mechanical components of the headset  12 . The potential for an electrostatic discharge between a user  14  and the headset  12  and/or device  10  may thus be reduced or eliminated. Static sensitive components of the headset  12 , specifically the speaker  22  and/or microphone  24  of the headset  12 , are also protected, as the likelihood of electrostatic discharge into those components is reduced, if not eliminated, and/or shifted to insignificant components, such as the outer casing of the device  10 . The present invention provides a static discharge path using the same components as mounted on a headset. Good contact and electrical conductivity and grounding is maintained, even through articulating components. The user will be generally unaware that the feature provides the benefit noted and does not have to wear or engage a separate grounding apparatus. 
     Moreover, embodiments of the invention provide for improved construction of the headset  12 . Conventional methods of insulating a headset  12  require insulating individual components. Embodiments of the invention may not require such insulation, potentially decreasing the size of the headset  12  as well as decreasing the weight of the headset  12 . 
     Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the environments illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 ,  4 A- 4 B, and  5 - 6  are not intended to limit the scope of embodiments of the invention. In particular, the device  10  and/or headset  12  may include additional components consistent with alternative embodiments of the invention. Indeed, those having skill in the art will recognize that other alternative hardware environments may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the headset  12  may be further configured with a processing unit and memory. As such, the headset  12  may control at least some communications with the device  10  and/or provide control of at least some functions normally performed by the device  10 . Moreover, although the support band  30  is illustrated as being configured to fit around the back of the head of the user  14 , the support band  30  may be configured to fit around the top of the head of the user  14 , configured to fit around the neck of the user  14 , or configured in some alternative manner to fit about the head and/or neck of the user  14 . 
     The temple headpiece  32  may also be configured to be in a different location than that shown and described. For example, the temple headpiece  32  may be configured to be located above an ear of the user  14 , below the ear of the user  14 , on the ear of the user  14 , on the neck of the user  14 , on the cheekbone of the user  14 , or on some alternative location of the head of the user  14 . The location for the electrically conductive foam pad  40  and/or its electrical connection to the support member  44  may also be configured in a different location than that shown and described. For example, the foam pad  40  may be configured in the middle of the support band  30  such that the foam pad  40  is in electrical communication with the back of the head or the neck of the user  14 . Alternatively, the foam pad  40  may be configured at the earpiece assembly  34  and in electrical communication with an ear of the user  14 . 
     Thus, while embodiments of the invention have been illustrated by a description of the various embodiments and the examples, and while these embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Thus, embodiments of the invention in broader aspects are therefore not limited to the specific details and representative apparatuses. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope of applicant&#39;s general inventive concept. 
     Other modifications will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the invention lies in the claims hereinafter appended.