Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7778601?dq=7143430
Timestamp: 2014-12-29 07:25:47
Document Index: 710904716

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

Patent US7778601 - Pairing modular wireless earpiece/microphone (HEADSET) to a serviced base ... - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsThe present invention provides a modular wireless headset to support voice communications when registered to a base unit. This modular wireless headset includes both a wireless microphone and wireless earpiece. The wireless earpiece may further include a wireless interface, a processing circuit, a speaker,...http://www.google.com/patents/US7778601?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7778601 - Pairing modular wireless earpiece/microphone (HEADSET) to a serviced base portion and subsequent access theretoAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS7778601 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 11/120,904Publication dateAug 17, 2010Filing dateMay 3, 2005Priority dateJan 24, 2005Fee statusPaidAlso published asUS20060166718Publication number11120904, 120904, US 7778601 B2, US 7778601B2, US-B2-7778601, US7778601 B2, US7778601B2InventorsNambirajan Seshadri, James D. Bennett, Jeyhan KaraoguzOriginal AssigneeBroadcom CorporationExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (85), Referenced by (12), Classifications (13), Legal Events (3) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetPairing modular wireless earpiece/microphone (HEADSET) to a serviced base portion and subsequent access theretoUS 7778601 B2Abstract The present invention provides a modular wireless headset to support voice communications when registered to a base unit. This modular wireless headset includes both a wireless microphone and wireless earpiece. The wireless earpiece may further include a wireless interface, a processing circuit, a speaker, a user interface, a pairing circuit, and a registration circuit. The wireless interface allows the wireless earpiece to wirelessly communicate with the base unit that couples the modular wireless headset to a servicing network. This coupling to the service 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 wireless 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. Successfully paired wireless earpieces and wireless microphones wirelessly communicate. The registration circuit registers the modular wireless headset to the base unit when the registration information associated with the modular wireless headset and base unit compare favorably. Components of the modular wireless headset that do not pair successfully are uncoupled from the headset. Similarly, wireless headsets that fail to register are communicatively uncoupled from the base unit.
1. A modular wireless headset operable to support voice communications when registered to a base unit, comprising:
a wireless microphone; and
a wireless earpiece operable to wirelessly communicate with the wireless microphone, wherein each of the wireless microphone and the wireless earpiece include:
a pairing circuit operable to pair the wireless earpiece and the wireless microphone to each other, when pairing information associated with the wireless earpiece compares favorably to pairing information associated with the wireless microphone, wherein the paired wireless earpiece and wireless microphone form a trusted pair in which each of the wireless earpiece and the wireless microphone can automatically accept wireless communications within the trusted pair; and
a registration circuit operable to register the modular wireless headset to the base unit when registration information associated with the modular wireless headset compares favorably with registration information associated with the base unit, wherein upon registration, automatic communications exchange occurs between the modular wireless headset and the base unit; and
wherein management duties to provide the voice communications are divided between the modular wireless headset and the base unit by the modular wireless headset supporting a first portion of a cellular protocol stack and by the base unit supporting a second portion of the cellular protocol stack.
2. The modular wireless headset of claim 1, wherein both the wireless microphone and wireless earpiece comprise the registration circuit.
3. The modular wireless headset of claim 1, wherein the wireless microphone comprises:
a microphone transducer operable to transduce voice communications;
a second processing circuit communicatively coupled to the microphone transducer;
a second wireless interface communicatively coupled to the second processing circuit, wherein the second processing circuit and second wireless interface are operable to encode and wirelessly communicate transduced voice communications to the wireless earpiece; and
wherein the first wireless interface communicatively couples the wireless microphone to the base unit to support transduced voice communications when successfully registered and successfully paired.
4. The modular wireless headset of claim 3, wherein the wireless microphone and the wireless earpiece physically dock during pairing to exchange pairing information.
5. The modular wireless headset of claim 3, wherein the wireless microphone and the wireless earpiece wirelessly communicate during pairing to exchange pairing information.
6. The modular wireless headset of claim 3, wherein the base unit physically docks to the modular wireless headset during registration of the modular wireless headset to the base unit.
7. The modular wireless headset of claim 3, wherein the base unit wirelessly communicates to the modular wireless headset during registration of the modular wireless headset to the base unit.
8. The modular wireless headset of claim 3, wherein comparing pairing information comprises comparing information selected from the group consisting of:
voice patterns;
user tactile inputs;
MAC Layer inputs;
voice recognized inputs;
encryption key;
handwriting recognition inputs;
audio testing inputs;
third party information; and
proximity information.
9. The modular wireless headset of claim 3, wherein comparing registration information comprises comparing information selected from the group consisting of:
10. The modular wireless headset of claim 3, further comprising at least one additional wireless module operable to pair to the wireless microphone and the wireless earpiece, and wherein the at least one additional wireless module comprises at least one device selected from the group consisting of:
a wireless earpiece, wireless microphone, a touchpad, and a text display.
11. The modular wireless headset of claim 10, wherein the wireless microphone, the wireless earpiece, and at least one additional wireless module are operable to establish a wireless network.
12. The modular wireless headset of claim 3, wherein the servicing network is selected from the group consisting of:
13. The modular wireless headset of claim 3, wherein the base unit is selected from the group consisting of: a wireless terminal, a wireless access point (WAP), a cordless telephone, a cellular telephone, an audio playback device, a computer, and a personal digital assistant.
14. The modular wireless headset of claim 3, wherein the wireless microphone and the wireless earpiece comprise pre-paired wireless modules.
15. A method to service voice communications between a destination terminal and a modular wireless headset, comprising:
communicatively coupling a wireless microphone and a wireless earpiece of the modular wireless headset to a base unit to exchange registration information, wherein the wireless microphone and the wireless earpiece form a trusted pair in which each of the wireless microphone and the wireless earpiece can automatically accept wireless communication within the trusted pair;
comparing registration information associated with the wireless microphone and the wireless earpiece to registration information associated with the base unit;
successfully registering the wireless microphone and the wireless earpiece to the base unit when the registration information associated with the wireless microphone and the wireless earpiece compares favorably to registration information associated with the base unit;
uncoupling the wireless microphone or the wireless earpiece that fails to successfully register to the base unit;
communicatively coupling the modular wireless headset to a servicing network through the base unit; and
servicing voice communications between the modular wireless headset and a destination terminal accessible to the modular wireless headset through the communicatively coupled base unit and servicing network, wherein management duties servicing the voice communications are divided between the modular wireless headset and the base unit by the modular wireless headset supporting a first portion of a cellular protocol stack and by the base unit supporting a second portion of the cellular protocol stack.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein communicatively coupling the wireless microphone and the wireless earpiece comprises physically docking the wireless microphone and the wireless earpiece to the base unit.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the servicing network is selected from the group consisting of:
18. The method of claim 15, wherein registration information comprises information selected from the group consisting of:
19. A method to service voice communications between a destination terminal and a modular wireless headset, comprising:
communicatively coupling a wireless microphone and a wireless earpiece by:
comparing pairing information associated with the wireless microphone and the wireless earpiece;
when the pairing information compares favorably, pairing the wireless microphone and the wireless earpiece, wherein the modular wireless headset comprises a successfully paired and coupled wireless microphone and wireless earpiece to form a trusted pair in which each of the wireless earpiece and the wireless microphone can automatically accept wireless communication within the trusted pair; and
when the pairing information compares unfavorably, uncoupling the wireless microphone and the wireless earpiece;
communicatively coupling the modular wireless headset to the base unit by:
comparing registration information associated with the modular wireless headset to registration information associated with the base unit;
when the registration information compares favorably, registering the modular wireless headset to the base unit when the registration information compares favorably; and
when the registration information compares unfavorably, uncoupling the modular wireless headset that fails to register to the base unit;
20. The method of claim 19, wherein communicatively coupling the wireless microphone and the wireless earpiece comprises physically docking the wireless microphone and the wireless earpiece to the base unit.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein communicatively coupling the modular wireless headset comprises physically docking the wireless microphone and the wireless earpiece to the base unit.
22. The method of claim 19, wherein the servicing network is selected from the group consisting of:
23. The method of claim 20, wherein registration information comprises information selected from the group consisting of:
24. The method of claim 20, wherein pairing information comprises information selected from the group consisting of:
proximity information. Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/646,437 entitled �PAIRING MODULAR WIRELESS EARPIECE/MICROPHONE (HEADSET) TO A SERVICED BASE PORTION AND SUBSEQUENT ACCESS THERETO,� by Nambirajan Seshadri, et al. filed on Jan. 24, 2005, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 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. 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 4, 2005, which claims priority under 35 USC �119(e) to Provisional Application No. 60/653,234 filed on Feb. 15, 2005; application Ser. No. 11/120,900 entitled �MODULAR EARPIECE/MICROPHONE (HEADSET) OPERABLE TO SERVICE VOICE ACTIVATED COMMANDS,� by Nambirajan Seshadri, et al., filed on May 3, 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. 11/120,902 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. 11/120,455 entitled �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 pairing and registration of modular wireless headset components to support voice communications.
Wireless communications offer users the ability to be �wired� from almost anywhere in the world. Cellular telephones, satellite telephones, wireless local area networks, personal digital assistants (PDAs) with radio frequency (RF) interfaces, laptop computers with RF interfaces and other such devices enable these wireless communications. Such wireless communications have been extended to personal wireless networks, such as these defined by the Bluetooth specification. Not only have cellular telephones become very popular, but Wireless Local Area Networking (WLAN) devices have also proliferated. One standard for wireless networking, which has been widely accepted, is the Specification of the Bluetooth System, v. 1.0 (�Bluetooth Specification�).
The Bluetooth Specification supports voice communications between Bluetooth enabled devices. When a pair of Bluetooth devices supports voice communication, the voice communications must be wirelessly supported in a continuous fashion so that carried voice signals are of an acceptable quality. One popular use of personal wireless networks couples a wireless headset(s) with cellular telephone(s), personal computer(s), and laptop(s), etc. The Bluetooth Specification provides specific guidelines for providing such wireless headset functionality. Additionally, pairing and registration protocols are desirable to maintain privacy and security.
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.
Thus, there is a need for improved security and privacy operations by WLAN devices servicing audio or multimedia communications that provide additional user functionality and improved service quality.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods that are further described in the following description and claims. Advantages and features of embodiments of the present invention may become apparent from the description, accompanying drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram of a wireless headset in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a diagram of a modular communication device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 13 is a logic diagram of a method for servicing voice communication with a wireless headset in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE 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 relationsips 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.
Although shown as being external to earpiece 12, transceivers 13 and 15 may be integrated within earpiece 12 and microphone 14. Base unit 16 is operable to establish a wireless pathway to earpiece 12 and/or microphone 14. This pathway may be direct or via another wireless component and pathway, such as pathway 21. For example, wireless microphone 14 may communicate via base unit 16 through a wireless pathway between earpiece 12 and base unit 16. Similarly, wireless earpiece 12 could communicate with base unit 16 through wireless microphone 14. Microphone 14 may communicate with the base unit 16 or earpiece 12 using transceiver (or transmitter) 15 of FIG. 2 via communication pathway 20 or 21, respectively. Either or both earpiece 12 and microphone 14 may have a user interface 22. If the communication pathways are established in accordance with the Bluetooth specification, communication resources 18, 20, and 21 may be different timeslot allocations on the same synchronous connection orientated (SCO) link, or may be separate SCO links.
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.
Once authenticated, the radio NIC must associate with the access point or base station before sending data frames. Association is necessary to synchronize the radio NIC and access point or base station with important information, such as supported data rates. The radio NIC initiates the association by sending an association request frame containing elements such as SSID and supported data rates. The access point responds by sending an association response frame containing an association ID along with other information regarding the access point. Once the radio NIC and access point complete the association process, they can send data frames to each other.
Each of these devices, earpiece 12, microphone 14 and base unit 16, may support one or more versions of the Bluetooth Specification or other wireless protocols. A Bluetooth �scattemet� is formed from multiple �piconets� with overlapping coverage. A user of modular wireless headset 10 may establish communications with any available base unit 16. Wireless headset 10 may have a minimal user interface 22 where a single authenticate or register button initiates registration. Modular wireless headset 10 includes a registration circuit. This registration circuit needs to reside in either or both the wireless microphone and wireless earpiece. The registration circuit receives and exchanges registration information with base unit 16. Once this information is exchanged, the modular wireless headset, as well as base unit 16, compares their registration information with the exchanged information to determine whether or not modular wireless headset 10 is authorized to use base unit 16. Authorization will occur when the registration information within the modular wireless headset compares favorably to that of the base unit. This may involve accessing a third-party database in order to confirm where the base unit establishes communications between a servicing network, such as a cellular or public switch telephone network (PSTN) network, or a local authentication via a local database that may compare biometric, password user interface, VRS voice pattern recognition, encryption key/Donegal, in order to allow modular wireless headset 10 to access resources available through base unit 16.
FIG. 2 is a diagram of a modular wireless headset that includes earpiece 12, microphone 14. This headset may also include display/camera 17, and portable touch-screen/whiteboard 19 to support net-meetings. Microphone 14, earpiece 12, display/camera 17 and portable touch-screen/whiteboard 19 may each be a separate physical device that communicates wirelessly when paired to form a modular wireless headset. Earpiece 12 is a separate device from microphone 14, that together function to provide the modular wireless headset shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, earpiece 12, microphone 14, display/camera 17, and a portable touch-screen/whiteboard 19 are separate communication devices that may individually communicate with base units via separate or shared communication pathways. A single communication pathway using time division may be used to communicate between earpiece 12, microphone 14, display/camera 17, portable touch-screen/whiteboard 19 and base units (base units 30-37 or access point 21). These communications are secured by both pairing and registration. Encryption, validation, or other like methods known to those skilled in the art may also be used and support one-way or two-way audio, video or text communications. One way communications allow the headset to act as receivers to broadcast information, while two-way communications allow real-time voice communications, such as phone or radio communications, which may be augmented with data, text and video to support interactive net-meetings.
Earpiece 12, once paired to form a modular wireless headset and registered to a base unit, may automatically communicate with base unit 16 and attached resources. FIG. 3 depicts those resources as a cellular telephone network, wire line telephone, Ethernet telephone, laptop computer, personal computer, personal digital assistant, etc, using transceiver (or receiver) 13 via a first communication pathways 18. Base unit 16 may establish a wireless pathway to earpiece 12 or microphone 14. The microphone 14, once authorized or validated, may communicate with the base-unit 16 using transceiver (or transmitter) 15 via a second communication pathway 20 or by sharing communication pathway 18 with earpiece 12. Display/camera 17 and portable touch-screen/whiteboard 19 may communicate with the base unit 16 using transceivers (receivers and/or transmitters) 25 and 27 via communication pathways 21 and 23, respectively, or by relaying communications through another wireless component.
If voice communications are to be serviced via wire line telephone 37 (i.e., the base unit for this example), but headset 10 is at a distance such that a piconet cannot be established between their piconet RF interfaces, and headset 10 is in a range to establish a piconet with cellular telephone 36, the piconet RF interfaces of cellular telephone 36 and headset 10, respectively, would establish a piconet, which may be established in accordance with the Bluetooth specification. With this piconet established, cellular telephone 36, via its WLAN RF interface, establishes a wireless connection with access point 21. Access point 21 then establishes a communication link with wire line telephone 37. Thus, a logical connection is established between headset 10 and wire line telephone 37 via cellular telephone 36 and access point 21. Note that wire line telephone 37 may be directly coupled to LAN 50 or coupled to a private branch exchange (PBX), which in turn is coupled to access point 21. Accordingly, within a wireless geographic area, the range of headset 10 may be extended utilizing the WLAN within the geographic area. As such, headset 10 extends the mobility of its user, extends the range of headset use and expands on headset functionality while preserving privacy and security by seeking service from base units to which it may be registered. Alternatively, headset 10 may establish a piconet with cell phone 36. This allows cell phone 36 to establish an alternate communication pathway for the communications serviced by wired telephone 37. Then it is possible for the call serviced by telephone 37 or 35 to be �handed off� to cellular telephone 36.
Transmitter module 40 accepts voice communications or unmodulated streamed audio, video, data or text from a servicing network or playback device 44 (e.g., DVD player, MP3 player, CD player, cassette player, or other like devices known to those skilled in the art). Playback device 44 may be integrated within base unit 16. Transmitter module 40 then modulates the streamed audio into low intermediate frequency (IF) signal. In the case where two earpieces are employed, multiple transmitter modules or time separation may be employed to modulate the streamed audio into low IF signals for the earpieces for each channel (i.e. left and right channels of stereo transmissions. These multiple signals are synchronized in their presentation to a user. Similarly, receiver module 42 accepts modulated streamed audio, video, data or text from multimedia device 10. Receiver module 42 recovers signals from the received low IF signals. The recovered signals are then relayed to the servicing network or presentation device 45. Note that the generation of low IF signals and subsequent demodulation to recapture audio signal may be done in accordance with a particular wireless communication standard. For example, the Bluetooth specification may be used, IEEE802.11(a), (b), and/or (g) may also be used, etc. when base unit 16 couples to a telephone network (PSTN, cellular, satellite, WLAN, VoIP, etc.). Base unit 16 may receive data associated with the command as well. For example, caller ID information may be passed to user interface 22 or enhanced call operations may be initiated based on input received at the user interface.
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of earpiece 12. Earpiece 12 includes receiver module 41, optional user interface 43, processing module 45 and speaker module 47. Receiver module 40 includes antenna 46, bandpass filter 48, low noise amplifier 50, down converter 52 and local oscillator 54. User interface 43 can be any combinations of a visual interface as evidenced by display 22, tactile interface as evidenced by buttons 26, and/or an audio interface represented by microphone/speaker and may operably couple to processing module 58 to initiate call functions or playback functions which will be described further in FIG. 10.
As shown in both FIGS. 6 and 7, separable connector 112 may physically connect setup modules 76 and 92. Such a physical connection allows for earpiece 12 and microphone 14 to communicate in both directions with the base unit. For example, if the devices are compliant with one or more versions of the Bluetooth Specification, base unit 16, functioning as the master, may issue a registration request to earpiece 12 coupled to microphone 14. Upon receiving this request, earpiece 12 and microphone 14 respond to the request indicating that RF channel(s) be established for the headset. Based on these responses, the master coordinates the establishment of the pathways and provides synchronization information through earpiece 12 and microphone 14 via receiver module 40 of earpiece 12. Setup modules 76 and 92 coordinate the registration of earpiece 12 and microphone 14 with the base unit, pairing of earpiece 12 and microphone 14, as well as coordinating timeslot assignments and/or SCO link assignments. Once the physical connection between earpiece 12 and microphone may be severed to establish earpiece 12 and microphone 14 as separate pieces.
Alternatively, earpiece 12 and microphone 14 may each directly couple to the base unit to accomplish this setup.
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.
FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of modular communication device 150, such as a wireless terminal (e.g., cell phone or wireless packet data phone) that includes host device (base unit) 152, detachable microphone 154 and detachable earpiece 156. In this embodiment, modular communication device 150 may function as a typical device (e.g., cellular telephone, CD player, cassette player, etc.) when detachable earpiece 156 and detachable microphone 154 are physically connected to host device 152. When detachable earpiece 156 is not in physical contact with host device 152, a wireless connection couples detachable earpiece 156 and host device 152. Similarly, when detachable microphone 154 is detached from host device 152, a second wireless connection couples detachable microphone 154 and host device 152. Alternatively, when detachable earpiece 156 and/or detachable microphone 154 are physically coupled to host device 152, they may communicate via a physical or wireless link. At this time, they may be paired and registered as well to the host device. As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, modular communication device 150 may include multiple detachable earpieces 156. In addition, modular communication device 150 may omit detachable microphone 154 if host device 152 is a playback type device (e.g., DVD player, CD player, cassette player, etc.). Similarly, modular communication device 150 may omit detachable earpiece 156 when functioning as a recording device (e.g., dictaphone). Detachable earpiece 156 and microphone 154 may have on-chip operations to support call conferencing, call waiting, flash, and other features associated with telephones. These functions may be accessed and reviewed by a user interface 158 and display 160 within host device 152 or a user interface and display located on either detachable earpiece 156 or microphone 154. The user interface and display, located on either the host device or detachable earpiece 156 and microphone 154 may have a display and button(s) that may be used to program device, perform directory functions including selecting number to call, view caller ID, initiate call waiting, or initiate call conferencing. Additionally, circuitry within the earpiece 156 and microphone 154 may enable voice activated dialing. The actual voice recognition could be performed within earpiece 156, microphone 154, or host device 152. Thus, earpiece 156 and microphone 154 may act to initiate calls and receive calls.
A link between earpiece 156 and microphone 154 would allow earpiece 156 and microphone 154 to share resources, such as battery life, and allow earpiece 156 and microphone 154 to be recharged from host device 152. Earpiece/microphone/base portion are included with cell phone battery. Cell phone battery has openings 162 and 164 located therein for storage/recharging of earpiece 156 and microphone 154. When located in these openings, the earpiece/microphone will be recharged from the cell phone battery. The new cell phone battery may include base portion RF interface and interface to cell phone port. Existing cell phone port technology could be used to treat the earpiece/microphone in the same manner as wired earpiece/microphone is treated.
FIG. 12 is a logic diagram of a method for servicing voice communications between the destination terminal and a modular wireless headset. This involves first in step 200 exchanging pairing information between components of the modular wireless headset. These components may include a wireless microphone, wireless earpiece, and other wireless components as previously described with respect to FIGs. In step 202, the pairing information is compared, and the determination is made as to whether or not the comparison is favorable. If the comparison is unfavorable, step 206 uncouples or fails to couple the components. If the comparison is favorable, step 204 establishes trusted pair relationship between the components that then form the wireless headset discussed in FIGS. 1 and 2. In step 208, registration information associated with the headset is exchanged with a base unit. Decision point 210 then determines whether or not the registration information compares favorably. If the registration information fails to compare favorably, communications are not permitted between the wireless headset and base unit as illustrated in step 212. Otherwise, a trusted relationship is established between the base unit and wireless headset in step 214. The establishment of a trusted relationship in step 214 allows a wireless headset in step 216 to couple to resources made accessible via the base unit. Although a trusted relationship is established, all resources accessible to the base unit may not be available as additional information may be required to access some resources. For example, SIM information may be required for access to a cellular network. These resources may include servicing networks for voice communications, such as cellular network, PSTNs, wide area networks, local area networks, wireless local area networks, and other like networks known to those skilled in the art. These resources may also include streamed or playback media made available through the base unit. Step 218 is the actual service of communications between the destination terminal and a headset, which may involve the authentication of SIM information as previously mentioned.
FIG. 13 is a logical diagram that illustrates another method of servicing voice communications between a destination terminal and modular wireless headset in accordance with the present invention. Step 220 couples the wireless microphone and wireless earpiece that form the modular wireless headset to a base unit in order to exchange registration information. This coupling may involve physically docking the wireless microphone and wireless earpiece to the base unit or establishing wireless communications between the wireless microphone, wireless earpiece and the base unit. In Step 222, the registration information for these individual components and the base unit are exchanged. Decision point 224 determines whether or not the information compares favorably. In the event that registration information associated with individual components compares unfavorably, then those components may be uncoupled from the modular wireless headset in step 226. This may unfortunately result in the headset itself not being coupled to the base unit depending on the exact configuration of the modular wireless headset. In the case where the registration information compares favorably at decision point 224, a trusted relationship is established between the base unit and wireless headset in step 228. This allows the components of the wireless headset access to resources made available through the base unit in step 230. This allows the service of communications or the playback of streamed media between resources made available through the base unit and the headset. For example, voice communications may be serviced between a destination terminal and the headset.
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EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionFeb 17, 2014FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4May 1, 2012CCCertificate of correctionMay 25, 2005ASAssignmentOwner name: BROADCOM CORPORATION, CALIFORNIAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:SESHADRI, NAMBIRAJAN;KARAOGUZ, JEYHAN;BENNETT, JAMES D.;REEL/FRAME:016073/0986;SIGNING DATES FROM 20050418 TO 20050429Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:SESHADRI, NAMBIRAJAN;KARAOGUZ, JEYHAN;BENNETT, JAMES D.;SIGNING DATES FROM 20050418 TO 20050429;REEL/FRAME:016073/0986RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google