Source: https://insight.rpxcorp.com/pat/US7343177B2
Timestamp: 2020-04-02 16:51:12
Document Index: 267727166

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 119', 'Application No. 60', '§ 119', 'Application No. 60', '§ 119', 'Application No. 60', '§ 119', 'Application No. 60', '§ 119', 'Application No. 60', '§ 119', 'Application No. 60', '§ 119', 'Application No. 60', '§ 119', 'Application No. 60', '§ 119', 'Application No. 60', '§ 119', 'Application No. 60', '§ 119', 'Application No. 60']

Patent US 7,343,177 B2
Modular ear-piece/microphone (headset) operable to service voice activated commands
US 7,343,177 B2
1. A modular wireless multimedia device operable to support voice communications over at least one servicing network, wherein the modular wireless multimedia device comprises:
a wireless earpiece operable to receive radio frequency (RF) signals and render the received RF signals audible, wherein the at least one earpiece further comprises;
a wireless microphone operable to capture audio signals and convert the audio signals into transmitted RF signals, wherein the at least one wireless microphone further comprises;
an analog to digital converter (ADC) operably coupled to the microphone transducer, wherein the ADC is operable to produce digital audio signals from the analog audio signals in accordance with;
a voice recognition software (VRS) coder decoder (CODEC) when the ADC operates in a voice command mode; and
a voice CODEC operable to support voice communications when the ADC operates in a voice mode;
a processing circuit communicatively coupled to the wireless microphone, wherein the processing circuit is operable to implement user voice commands.
The present invention provides a modular headset operable to support both voice communications and voice activated commands. This may involve the use of multiple voice CODECs to process voice communications and voice activated commands. The modular headset includes both a microphone and wireless earpiece. The earpiece may further include an interface, a processing circuit, a speaker, a user interface, a pairing circuit, and a registration circuit. The interface allows the earpiece to communicate with the base unit that couples the modular headset to a servicing network. This coupling to the servicing network and base unit only occurs when the headset is successfully registered to the base unit. The pairing circuit and registration circuit allow the exchange of pairing or registration information between various components. The pairing circuit allows the wireless earpiece and microphone to exchange pairing information which is then compared to determine whether or not a successful pairing can be achieved. Analog to digital converts (ADCs), which may be located within either the microphone or earpiece are operable to process the transduced voice communications in accordance with either a voice CODEC or voice recognition CODEC depending on the selected mode of operation.
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CHANGING COMMUNICATION MODE IN MOBILE TERMINAL
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2. The modular wireless multimedia device of claim 1, wherein the user selects the voice command mode to process user voice commands.
3. The modular wireless multimedia device of claim 2, wherein the user selects the voice command mode with a one touch button.
4. The modular wireless multimedia device of claim 2, wherein the user selects the voice command mode with a one touch button.
5. The modular wireless multimedia device of claim 2, wherein the ADC is located within the wireless earpiece communicatively coupled to the wireless microphone.
6. A modular wireless multimedia device operable to support voice communications over at least one servicing network, wherein the modular wireless multimedia device comprises:
a microphone transducer operable to capture and output audio signals;
a second processing circuit operable to produce an RF signals from the audio signal; and
at least one analog to digital converter (ADC) communicatively coupled to the microphone transducer, wherein the at least one ADC is operable to produce digital audio signals from analog audio signals in accordance with;
7. The modular wireless multimedia device of claim 6, wherein the at least one ADC is located within the wireless earpiece communicatively coupled to the wireless microphone.
8. The modular wireless multimedia device of claim 6, wherein the at least one ADC further comprises:
a first ADC operable to implement the voice CODEC operable to support voice communications; and
a second ADC operable to implement the VRS CODEC operable to support the voice command mode.
9. The modular wireless multimedia device of claim 8, wherein:
the first ADC is located within the wireless microphone; and
the second ADC is located within the wireless earphone.
10. The modular wireless multimedia device of claim 8, wherein:
the second ADC is located within a base unit of the modular wireless multimedia device communicatively coupled to the wireless microphone and/or wireless earpiece.
11. The modular wireless multimedia device of claim 8, wherein the user selects the voice command mode to process user voice commands.
12. The modular wireless multimedia device of claim 11, wherein the user selects the voice command mode with a one touch button.
13. The modular wireless multimedia device of claim 12, wherein the user selects the voice command mode with a one touch button.
14. The modular wireless multimedia device of claim 10, wherein the base unit couples the modular wireless multimedia device to a servicing network selected from the group consisting of:
15. The modular multimedia device of claim 10, wherein the modular multimedia device is operable to switch servicing networks while servicing a voice communication.
16. The modular wireless multimedia device of claim 10, wherein the voice commands implement at least one function selected from the group consisting of:
17. The modular multimedia device of claim 10, wherein the user voice commands are operable to validate and/or authenticate a servicing network.
18. A method to service voice communications between a servicing network and a modular wireless multimedia device, wherein the method comprises:
capturing user voice commands, while operating in a voice command mode, with at least one wireless microphone wherein the user voice commands are processed with voice recognition software (VRS) coder decoder (CODEC);
converting user voice commands into digital commands;
capturing outbound voice communications with the at least one wireless microphone wherein the voice communications are processed with a voice CODEC;
initiating enhanced call functions based on the digital commands.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising coupling the modular wireless multimedia device to the servicing network selected from the group consisting of:
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the modular multimedia device is operable to switch servicing networks while servicing a voice communication.
21. The method of claim 18, wherein the enhanced call functions comprise at least one function selected from the group consisting of:
22. The method of claim 18, wherein a tactile interface initiates a voice command mode operable to capture and process user voice commands.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the tactile interface comprises one-touch buttons.
a VRS circuit communicatively coupled to the wireless microphone implements the VRS CODEC; and
a voice processing circuit communicatively coupled to the wireless microphone implements the voice CODEC.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the VRS circuit wherein:
the voice processing circuit is located within the wireless microphone; and
the VRS circuit is located within the wireless earphone.
26. The method of claim 24, wherein the VRS circuit, wherein:
the VRS circuit is located within a base unit of the modular wireless multimedia device communicatively coupled to the wireless microphone and/or wireless earpiece.
This Application is related to the following applications: application Ser. No. 10/981,418 entitled “UNIVERSAL WIRELESS MULTIMEDIA DEVICE,” by Nambirajan Seshadri, et al., filed on Nov, 4, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/856,430 entitled “PROVIDING A UNIVERSAL WIRELESS HEADSET,” by Nambirajan Seshadri, et al., filed May 28, 2004 which claims priority under 35 USC § 119(e) to Provisional Application No. 60/473,967 filed on May 28, 2003; and application Ser. No. 10/981,418 is also a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/856,124 filed May 28, 2004 which claims priority under 35 USC § 119(e) to Provisional Application No. 60/473,675 filed May 28, 2003; application Ser. No. 10/976,300 entitled “MODULAR WIRELESS MULTIMEDIA DEVICE,” by Nambirajan Seshadri, et al., filed on Oct. 27, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/856,124 entitled “MODULAR WIRELESS HEADSET AND/OR HEADPHONES,” filed May 28, 2004 which claims priority under 35 USC § 119(e) to Provisional Application No. 60/473,675, filed on May 28, 2003; and application Ser. No. 10/976,300 is also a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/856,430 filed May 28, 2004 which claims priority under 35 USC § 119(e) to Provisional Application No. 60/473,967 filed May 28, 2003; application Ser. No. 11/120,765 entitled “MODULAR EARPIECE/MICROPHONE THAT ANCHORS VOICE COMMUNICATIONS,” by Nambirajan Seshadri, et al., filed on May 3, 2005, which claims priority under 35 USC § 119(e) to Provisional Application No. 60/656,828 filed on Feb. 25, 2005; application Ser. No. 11/122,146 entitled “HANDOVER OF CALL SERVICED BY MODULAR EARPIECE/MICROPHONE BETWEEN SERVICING BASE PORTIONS,” by Nambirajan Seshadri, et al., filed on May 3, 2005, which claims priority under 35 USC § 119(e) to Provisional Application No. 60/653,234 filed on Feb. 15, 2005; application Ser. No. 11/120,903 entitled “BATTERY MANAGEMENT IN A MODULAR EARPIECE MICROPHONE COMBINATION,” by Nambirajan Seshadri, et al., filed on May 3, 2005, which claims priority under 35 USC § 119(e) to Provisional Application No. 60/646,270 filed on Jan. 24, 2005; application Ser. No. 11/120,904 entitled “PAIRING MODULAR WIRELESS EARPIECE/MICROPHONE (HEADSET) TO A SERVICED BASE PORTION AND SUBSEQUENT ACCESS THERETO,” by Nambirajan Seshadri, et al., filed on May 3, 2005, which claims priority under 35 USC § 119(e) to Provisional Application No. 60/646,437 filed on Jan. 24, 2005; application Ser. No. 11/120,902 entitled “MANAGING ACCESS OF MODULAR WIRELESS EARPIECE/MICROPHONE (HEADSET) TO PUBLIC/PRIVATE SERVICING BASE STATION,” by Nambirajan Seshadri, et al., filed on May 3, 2005, which claims priority under 35 USC § 119(e) to Provisional Application No. 60/646,235 filed on Jan. 24, 2005; application Ser. No. 11/120,676 entitled “EARPIECE/MICROPHONE (HEADSET) SERVICING MULTIPLE INCOMING AUDIO STREAMS,” by Nambirajan Seshadri, et al., filed on May 3, 2005, which claims priority under 35 USC § 119(e) to Provisional Application No. 60/646,272 filed on Jan. 24, 2005; application Ser. No. 11/120,455entitled “INTEGRATED AND DETACHABLE WIRELESS HEADSET ELEMENT FOR CELLULAR/MOBILE/PORTABLE PHONES AND AUDIO PLAYBACK DEVICES,” by Josephus A. Van Engelen, et al., filed on May 3, 2005, which claims priority under 35 USC § 119(e) to Provisional Application No. 60/646,465 filed on Jan. 24, 2005, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
This invention generally relates to wireless communications and more particularly to the servicing of voice activated commands within a modular headset operable to support voice communications.
The Bluetooth Specification enables the creation of small personal area networks (PAN'"'"'s) where the typical operating range of a device is 100 meters or less. In a Bluetooth system, Bluetooth devices sharing a common channel sequence form a piconet. Two or more piconets co-located in the same area, with or without inter-piconet communications, is known as a scatternet.
Bluetooth provides a headset profile that defines protocols and procedures for implementing a wireless headset to a device private network. Once configured, the headset functions as the device'"'"'s audio input and output. As further defined by the Bluetooth Specification, the headset must be able to send AT (Attention) commands and receive resulting codes, such that the headset can initiate and terminate calls. The Bluetooth Specification also defines certain headset profile restrictions. These restrictions include an assumption that the ultimate headset is assumed to be the only use case active between the two devices. The transmission of audio is based on continuously variable slope delta (CVSD) modulation. The result is monophonic audio of a quality without perceived audio degradation. Only one audio connection at a time is supported between the headset and audio gateway. The audio gateway controls the synchronous connection orientated (SCO) link establishment and release. The headset directly connects and disconnects the internal audio stream upon SCO link establishment and release. Once the link is established, valid speech exists on the SCO link in both directions. The headset profile offers only basic inoperability such that the handling of multiple calls or enhanced call functions at the audio gateway is not supported. Another limitation relates to the manner which Bluetooth devices service only single channel audio communications. In most cases, the Bluetooth device is simply a replacement for a wired headset. Such a use of the Bluetooth device, while providing benefits in mobility of the user, provides little additional benefit over wired devices. In fact, privacy and security associated with these devices can be less than that offered by wired devices. Because wired solutions provide many current Bluetooth devices, that service voice communications, the use of such devices may be questioned.
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods that are further described in the following description and claims. Other features and advantages and features of embodiments of the present invention may become apparent from the description, accompanying drawings and claims.
FIG. 12 is a logic diagram of a method for servicing voice communication with a headset in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a logic diagram of a method for servicing voice communication with a headset in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a modular wireless headset 10 wirelessly coupled to base unit 16 that includes wireless earpiece 12 and wireless microphone 14. Wireless earpiece 12 communicates wirelessly with microphone 14. However, wireless earpiece 12 and wireless microphone 14 may also physically couple to exchange information establishing trusted pair relationships or establish an alternate communication pathway. Accordingly, earpiece 12 and microphone 14 may be separate communication devices. A shaped battery may be used as the framework of the headset and removably couple to earpiece 12. Those devices may individually communicate with base unit 16 via separate communication pathways or through a single wireless interface contained either in the earpiece or microphone. As shown, earpiece 12 and microphone 14 may both communicate with base unit 16, which may be a cellular telephone, wire line telephone, laptop computer, personal computer, personal digital assistant, etc., using transceiver (transmitter and/or receiver) 13 of FIG. 2 via a first communication pathway 18. Base unit 16 may also directly couple the headset to voice communication networks such as radio, cellular, wireless voice or packet data, public switched telephone networks (PSTN), private branch exchanges or others known to those skilled in the art.
Standards such as the 802.11 standard may specify a common medium access control (MAC) Layer, operable to provide a variety of functions that support the operation wireless local area networks (LANs). In general, the MAC Layer manages and maintains communications between wireless components (i.e. radio network cards and access points) by coordinating access to a shared radio channel and utilizing protocols that enhance communications over a wireless medium. Often viewed as the “brains” of the network, the MAC Layer may use a Physical (PHY) Layer, such as 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b or 802.11a, to perform the tasks of carrier sensing, transmission, and receiving of frames. The pairing and registration circuits may implement MAC layer security with software code executed within the various wireless components. For example, the authentication process of proving identity specified by the 802.11 standard includes two forms: Open system authentication and shared key authentication. Open system authentication is mandatory, and it'"'"'s a two step process. A network interface card (NIC) first initiates the process by sending an authentication request frame to the access point or base station. The access point or base station replies with an authentication response frame containing approval or disapproval of authentication. Shared key authentication is an optional four step process that bases authentication on whether the authenticating device has the correct WEP (wired equivalent privacy) key. The wireless NIC starts by sending an authentication request frame to the access point. The access point or base station then places challenge text into the frame body of a response frame and sends it to the radio NIC. The radio NIC uses its WEP key to encrypt the challenge text and then sends it back to the access point or base station in another authentication frame. The access point or base station decrypts the challenge text and compares it to the initial text. If the text is equivalent, then the access point assumes that the radio NIC has the correct key. The access point finishes the sequence by sending an authentication frame to the radio NIC with the approval or disapproval.
In operation, voice produced by the individual using microphone 14 is received via a microphone transducer and converted into RF signals by circuitry within microphone 14, as shown in FIG. 7. These RF signals are provided to base unit 16 via the previously identified communication pathways. Base unit 16 includes a corresponding receiver antenna 46 and receiver module to recapture the audio signals received via communication pathways 18, 20 and 32. In addition, base unit 16 includes at least one transmitter to transmit audio information to the earpiece(s) 12A and 12B. In one embodiment, base unit 16 may transmit left channel stereo information to earpiece 12A and right channel stereo information to earpiece 12B. In addition to receiving outgoing voice communications, microphone 14 may also receive voice commands that are recognized and executed by processing modules within the modular headset. The processing of these commands will be discussed in further detail with reference to FIG. 7.
ADC 88 couples to microphone 84 where ADC 88 can produce a digital audio signal from the analog audio signals captured by the microphone. Multiple CODECs may be used. For example, a voice recognition software (VRS) codec may be used when the ADC operates in a voice command mode. Alternatively, a voice codec that supports voice communications may be used when the ADC is operating in a voice mode. The user may be able to select in the voice command mode with a one-touch button or other user interface causing the ADC to utilize a separate codec for the voice command mode. ADC 88 may be located either in microphone 14 or within earpiece 12.
In another embodiment ADC 88 may in fact be two or more ADCs that are coupled to the microphone transducer. In such a case, the first ADC would be operable to produce digital audio signals from the analog audio signals captured by the microphone in accordance with the VRS CODEC. The second ADC operating in parallel with the first supports voice communications with a separate voice codec. These ADCs may be contained or coupled to processing module 100.
These voice commands may be used to implement many functions. These functions may include, but are not limited to, network interface functions, base unit interface functions, directory functions, caller I.D. functions, call waiting functions, call conferencing functions, call initiation functions, device programming functions, and playback device functions. Additionally, the user voice commands may be used to initiate, validate, and/or authenticate a servicing network and the formation of a trusted relationship between modular components such as microphone 14 and earpiece 12.
FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of microphone 14 that includes audio input module 80, transmitter module 82, transmit receive switch 122, antenna 102, receiver module 132, input module 140 and display module 138. Input module 140 is operable to receive user input commands 142, including voice commands and convert these commands into digital command messages 144. In the case of voice commands, the combination of audio input module 80 and input module 140 include one or more ADCs, such as previously described ADC 88 operable to processed transduced audio communications with a voice CODEC and voice commands with a voice recognition software (VRS) CODEC.
Input module 140 couples to or includes a user interface that allows a user to initiate call functions or network hardware operations, such as pairing and registration. Network interface functions may include base unit interface functions, component interface functions, directory functions, caller ID functions, voice activated commands and device programming functions. This user interface can be any combinations of visual interface(s), tactile interface(s), and/or an audio interface(s) that allow the user to input commands 142. Digital command messages 144 may be similar to digital command messages 124 and may further include establish a call, terminate a call, call waiting, or other like functions. Transmitter module 82 converts digital command messages 144 into RF command signals 134 that are transmitted via antenna 102. Similarly, inbound RF command signals 135 may be received by receiver module 132 via antenna 102. Display module 138, which may be a LCD display, plasma display, etc., receives digital command messages 136 and may display corresponding configuration messages. In addition, any display information received from the host and/or microphone module regarding setup, operation, or as part of the data content, may be displayed on display module 138.
FIG. 10 is a logic diagram illustrating operation of a wireless headset constructed according to the present invention in serving voice communications while providing call management. The operations described with reference to FIG. 10 may be performed whole or in part by an on-chip processor within or coupled to processing modules 58 and 100 of FIGS. 6 and 7. During normal operations, the wireless headset services normal operations, e.g., single call or device playback. Other modular devices, such as those of FIG. 2 that couple to the microphone or headset, may perform these operations. These functions may be implemented by voice commands recognized by the VRS CODEC as discussed with reference to FIGS. 7 and 9.
FIG. 12 is a logic flow diagram of a method of servicing voice communications between a destination terminal and modular wireless headset. During normal operations audio information from the user is received through a microphone as described previously with reference to microphone 14. This audio information is received in step 200. As previously described, a user may activate a voice command mode with a one-touch button or other like interface known to those having skill in the art. Thus, at decision point 202 a determination is made as to whether or not a voice command mode is active or selected. If the voice command mode is not active normal operations and servicing of the audio communications will continue utilizing a voice CODECs in step 204. However, should a voice command mode be activated at decision point 202, ADCs utilizing a VRS CODEC will convert the voice commands, audio communications received through the microphone, into digital commands in step 206. These digital commands are used in step 208 to initiate specific functions such as enhanced call features, equipment features, network functions or other like features.
FIG. 13 provides a second logic flow diagram, however, in this case multiple ADCs are present wherein each ADC is operable to process received audio information. In step 300, audio information is received by the multiple ADCs. A first ADC may process the audio information with a VRS CODEC in step 302 then a determination may be made at decision point 304 as to whether or not a voice command is present within the processed audio information. If not, the audio information may be processed using a voice CODEC in step 306 and the call for other audio communications will continue to be normally serviced. Should a voice command be present as determined at step 304, the voice command will be converted into a digital command in step 308, after which the digital command may be initiated in step 310. Although described as occurring in series in FIG. 13, the processing by the multiple ADCs utilizing multiple CODECs may occur in parallel.
In summary, the present invention provides a modular headset operable to support both voice communications and voice activated commands. This may involve the use of multiple voice CODECs to process voice communications and voice activated commands. The modular headset includes both a microphone and wireless earpiece. The earpiece may further include an interface, a processing circuit, a speaker, a user interface, a pairing circuit, and a registration circuit. The interface allows the earpiece to communicate with the base unit that couples the modular headset to a servicing network. One or more analog to digital converters (ADCs), which may be located within either the microphone or earpiece, are operable to process the transduced voice communications in accordance with either a voice CODEC and/or voice recognition CODEC depending on the selected mode of operation or the processing architecture.
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H04M 1/6033 : for providing handsfree use...
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