Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20050202857A1/en
Timestamp: 2018-11-12 23:11:47
Document Index: 764755580

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

US20050202857A1 - Wireless headset supporting enhanced call functions - Google Patents
Wireless headset supporting enhanced call functions Download PDF
US20050202857A1
US20050202857A1 US11120752 US12075205A US2005202857A1 US 20050202857 A1 US20050202857 A1 US 20050202857A1 US 11120752 US11120752 US 11120752 US 12075205 A US12075205 A US 12075205A US 2005202857 A1 US2005202857 A1 US 2005202857A1
US11120752
US8204435B2 (en )
A modular wireless headset includes earpiece(s) and microphone(s), where the earpiece and microphone may be physically separate devices. The earpiece renders inbound radio frequencies received from a host device audible. The earpiece may include a receiver module, data recovery module, and speaker module. The receiver module may convert inbound RF signals into low intermediate frequency (IF) signals. The data recovery module recovers audio signals from the low IF signals. The speaker module renders the audio signals audible. The microphone converts received audio signals into outbound RF signals, where the outbound RF signals are transmitted to the host device. The microphone includes an audio input module and a transmitter module. The audio input module is operably coupled to convert received analog audio signals into digital audio signals. The transmitter module is operably coupled to convert the digital audio signals into the outbound RF signals.
This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/645,872 entitled “WIRELESS HEADSET SUPPORTING ENHANCED CALL FUNCTIONS,” by Nambirajan Seshadri, et al. filed on Jan. 21, 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 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. ______ 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. ______ 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 No. ______ entitled “MODULAR EARPIECE/MICROPHONE (HEADSET) OPERABLE TO SERVICE VOICE ACTIVATED COMMANDS,” by Nambirajan Seshadri, et al., filed on May 3, 2005, which claims priority under 35 USC § 119(e) to Provisional Application No. 60/______ filed on Apr. 22, 2005; application Ser. No. ______ 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. ______ 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. ______ 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. ______ 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. ______ 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.
The wireless multimedia device of the present invention substantially meets these above-identified needs and others. One embodiment provides a wireless earpiece/microphone operable to support enhanced call functions. More specifically, this wireless headset supports voice communications over multiple servicing networks. The wireless headset includes a wireless earpiece, a wireless microphone, and a user interface wherein either the earpiece or microphone are a detachable module. The wireless earpiece may receive radio frequency (RF) signals and render voice communications contained within the received RF signals audible. This wireless earpiece further includes a wireless interface to receive and transmit the RF signals between the earpiece and a host device. Processing circuitry operably coupled to the wireless interface recovers digital audio signals from the received RF signals. A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) couples to the wireless interface and processing circuitry. The DAC produces analog audio signals from the digital audio signals and provides this analog audio signal a speaker module which receives the analog audio signal and renders the stat communications contained therein audible. The wireless microphone captures audio signals and converts the audio signals into RF signals. This modular wireless microphone further includes a microphone transducer to capture the audio signals and convert the captured audio signals into analog audio signals. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) receives the analog audio signals and produces a digital audio signal. Processing circuitry processes the digital audio signals to produce RF signals which are transmitted by a wireless interface contained within the modular wireless microphone. A user interface couples to the wireless earpiece and/or wireless microphone and is operable to initiate enhanced call functions based upon user input.
This headset couples wirelessly to a base unit. This base unit allows a logical connection communication pathway between the wireless headset and servicing networks. As previously stated, the user interface of the headset allows enhanced call functions to be initiated. These enhanced call functions may include network interface functions, base unit interface functions, directory functions, caller ID functions, voice activated commands, call waiting functions, call conferencing functions, call initiation functions device programming functions and other like functions known to those skilled in the art. The user interface may be either a visual, tactile, and/or audio interface. When the user interface is a tactile interface, one touch buttons, are operable to initiate the advance call functions. Similarly, when an audio interface is employed, a voice recognition system, which may be located within the wireless headset, may operate to recognize and act upon voice commands.
Another embodiment provides a method to service voice communications between a servicing network and a wireless multimedia device. Servicing these communications involves exchanging RF signals between a base unit and the wireless multimedia device. These exchanged RF signals may contain communications having audio, video, text, and data information. The wireless multimedia device, when receiving inbound RF signals, extracts the digital communications from the RF signal and converts the digital signals into signals to be presented to a user. This may include, for example, voice signals that are then rendered audible with the earpiece. A wireless microphone may capture voice communications with a microphone transducer. These voice communications may then be converted to outbound digital voice communications. Outbound digital voice communications are then processed and transmitted from the modular wireless headset to the base unit via the wireless interface. Additionally, enhanced call functions associated with these exchanged communications may be initiated through a user interface operably coupled to either the modular wireless earpiece or microphone. This user interface may exchange visual, tactile, or audio information with the user. These advance call functions include but are not limited to the previously identified enhanced call functions. Additionally, the user interface may also allow the user to validate and authenticate the use of the modular wireless headset with the servicing network or base unit.
Another embodiment includes earpiece(s) and microphone(s), wherein the earpiece(s) are physically separate from the microphone(s). The earpiece(s) are operable to render inbound audio communications contained within RF signals received from a host device audible. To do this, the earpiece includes a receiver module, a data recovery module, and a speaker module. The receiver module converts inbound RF signals into low intermediate frequency (IF) signals. The data recovery module then recovers audio signals from the low IF signals. The speaker module renders these signals audible. The microphone converts received audio signals into outbound RF signals, where the outbound RF signals are transmitted to the host device (e.g., cellular telephone, personal computer, laptop computer, personal digital assistant, wire line telephone, etc.). The microphone includes, at least, an audio input module and a transmitter module. The audio input module converts received analog audio signals into digital audio signals. The transmitter module then converts the digital audio signals into the outbound RF signals.
Another embodiment provides a method for wireless communications within a piconet. This method includes a modular wireless multimedia device and a host device. Those devices first established a piconet or wireless connection Processing continues by transmitting outbound RF signals from individual wireless modular devices such as a microphone module to the host device via a wireless communication resource(s). The processing also includes transmitting inbound RF signals from the host device to the individual wireless modular devices such as an earpiece module via wireless communication resource. Enhanced call functions are initiated through a user interface located on either or both the earpiece or microphone.
To render stereo or multi-channel audio, additional earpieces may be utilized. Each of the wearable earpieces is operably coupled to render inbound signals received from a host device into audible signals.
Each of these various embodiments provides separate components of a headset and/or headphones. With separate earpieces and/or microphones, various physical embodiments of the earpieces and/or microphones may be generated. The components, when worn, are less conspicuous than previous integrated headsets and are more comfortable to wear. For instance, the earpieces may be form fitted to an individual's ear, contain an eyeglass clip-on piece, etc.
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of wireless earpiece in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a wireless microphone in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a logic diagram illustrating operation of a wireless multimedia device constructed according to the present invention in performing enhanced call management;
FIG. 12 is a logic diagram of a method for wireless communications within a piconet that includes a wireless multimedia device in initiating enhanced call management functions in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a modular wireless headset 10 wirelessly coupled to host device 16 that includes earpiece 12 and microphone 14. Earpiece 12 may be a separate physical device from microphone 14. Earpiece 12 may be detached from the headset. Headset 10 may include a frame 9 that conforms to the shape of the user's head. This frame may be formed from shaped batteries and may physically dock to the earpiece and microphone. Accordingly, earpiece 12 and microphone 14 may be separate communication devices that individually communicate with host device 16 via separate communication pathways. As shown, earpiece 12 may communicate with host device 16, which may be a cellular telephone, wire line telephone, laptop computer, personal computer, personal digital assistant, etc., using transceiver (or receiver) 13 of FIG. 2 via a first communication pathway 18. Although shown as being external to earpiece 12, transceivers 13 and 15 may be integrated within earpiece 12 and microphone 14. Host device 16 is operable to establish a wireless pathway to earpiece 12 or microphone 14. The microphone 14 may communicate with the host device 16 using transceiver (or transmitter) 15 of FIG. 2 via a second communication pathway 20. Microphone 14 may also be detachable mounted on a frame similar to form and function to frame 9. 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 and 20 may be different timeslot allocations on the same synchronous connection orientated (SCO) link, or may be separate SCO links.
User interface 22 allows a user to initiate enhanced call functions or network hardware operations. These enhanced call functions include call initiation operations, call conferencing operations, call forwarding operations, call hold operations, call muting operations, and call waiting operations. Additionally, user interface 22 allows the user to access network interface functions, hardware functions, base unit interface functions, directory functions, caller ID functions, voice activated commands, playback commands and device programming functions. User interface 22 can be any combinations of a visual interface as evidenced by display 24, tactile interface as evidenced by buttons 26, and/or an audio interface. Each of these devices, earpiece 12, microphone 14 and host device 16, may support one or more versions of the Bluetooth Specification or other wireless protocols. A Bluetooth “scatternet” is formed from multiple “piconets” with overlapping coverage.
A user of wireless headset 10 may establish communications with any available host device in a piconet. Wireless headset 10 may have a minimal user interface 22 where a single authenticate button 26 initiates joining of a piconet. Wireless headset 10 may reside within the service coverage area of each of multiple host devices. Thus, when wireless headset 10 enters (or powers up in) an area with more than one functioning piconets, a user may depress authenticate button 26, use a voice command or other means to start the authentication process. With the authenticate button depressed, the wireless headset attempts to establish a piconet with host device 16. Subsequent authentication operations are required to have the wireless headset join the selected piconet. These subsequent authentication operations may include prompting the user for selection of the piconet, requiring that an entry be previously made in an access list to allow wireless headset 10 to join the piconet, or other complete authentication operations.
Once wireless multimedia device or headset 10 joins a respective piconet, wireless multimedia device or headset 10 establishes an audio link with the host device via respective WLAN links. Such calls will be received and managed by host device 16 or multimedia device or headset 10. Management duties for the calls may be divided between host device 15 and multimedia device or headset 10. Integrated circuit in either headset 10 or host device 16 support enhanced call functions. These enhanced call functions include but are not limited to call conferencing operations, call forwarding operations, call hold operations, call muting operations, or call waiting operations, and may be initiated through user interface 22.
FIG. 2 is a diagram of a wireless headset that includes an earpiece 12, a microphone 14, as well as optional display/camera 17, and a portable touch-screen/whiteboard 19. Microphone 14, earpiece 12, display/camera 17 and portable touch-screen/whiteboard 19 may each be a separate physical device. Earpiece 12 may be a separate device from microphone 14, that together function to provide the optionally 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 host devices 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 host devices 30-37 or access point 21. This communication may be secured by encryption, validation, or other like methods known to those skilled in the art and may support one-way or two-way audio, video or text communications. One way communications allow the devices to act as receivers to broadcast information, while two-way communications allow real-time audio or video communications such as phone or radio communications which may be augmented with data and text to support interactive net meetings.
Earpiece 12, once authorized or validated, may communicate with host device 16, which FIG. 3 depicts as a cellular telephone, wire line telephone, Ethernet telephone, laptop computer, personal computer, personal digital assistant, etc, using transceiver (or receiver) 13 via a first communication pathway 18. Host device 16 is operable to establish a wireless pathway to earpiece 12 or microphone 14. The microphone 14, once authorized or validated, may communicate with the host device 16 using transceiver (or transmitter) 15 via a second communication pathway 20. Display/camera 17 and portable touch-screen/whiteboard 19 may communicate with the host device 16 using transceivers (or transmitters) 25 and 27 via communication pathways 21 and 23 respectively.
Each of the devices 30-37 also includes piconet RF interface 38 and/or wireless interface 39. Piconet RF interface 38 may be constructed to support one or more versions of the Bluetooth specification. As such, each of the piconet RF interfaces 38-39 include a radio frequency transceiver that operates at 2.4 gigahertz and baseband processing for modulating and demodulating data that is transceived within a piconet. As such, universal wireless multimedia device 10 may be wirelessly coupled with any one of the devices 30-37 and act as the headset communicatively coupled to the devices 30-37. Headset 10 may simultaneously service common earpieces with multiple devices or audio sources. In this way, certain enhanced call functions may be both two-way audio communication and other audio streams.
For example, if a communication is to be processed via wire line telephone 14 (i.e., the host device for this example), but headset 10 is at a distance such that a piconet cannot be established between their piconet RF interfaces 26 and 28. However, for example, multimedia device or headset 10 is in a range to establish a piconet with cellular telephone 36. In this instance, the piconet RF interfaces 36 and 28 of cellular telephone 36 and multimedia device or 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 48, establishes a wireless connection with access point 21. Access point 21 then establishes a communication link with wire line telephone 14. Thus, a logical connection is established between universal wireless multimedia device 37 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 connection 50 or coupled to a private branch exchange, which in turn is coupled to access point 21. Accordingly, within a wireless geographic area, the range of universal wireless multimedia device 10 may be extended utilizing the WLAN within the geographic area. As such, universal multimedia device or headset 10 extends the mobility of its user, extends the range of headset use and expands on headset functionality. Alternatively, universal wireless multimedia device 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 phone 14. Then it is possible for the call serviced by telephone 37 or 35 to be “handed off” to cell phone 36.
Wireless headphone(s) may be realized by omitting microphone 14 and including either one or both of earpieces 12A and 12B. In this embodiment, host device may be a playback device such as a CD player, DVD player, cassette player, etc. operable to stream audio information. If the display of FIG. 2 is utilized as well, both streaming audio and video may be enjoyed by the user. The headphone(s) may also be detached from the headset framework in order to serve as a modular playback or audio device.
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of earpiece 12. Earpiece 12 includes receiver module 41, optional user interface 43, data recovery module 45 and speaker module 47. One embodiment of 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 enhanced call functions which will be described further in FIG. 10.
Data recovery module 45 may include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 56 and processing module 58. Processing module 58, which may have associated memory, is configured to provide digital channel filter 60, demodulator 61 and setup module 76. Speaker module 47 includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 62, variable gain module 64, and at least one speaker 66.
FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of microphone 14 that includes audio input module 80, transmitter module 82 and user interface 101. Audio input module 80 includes microphone 84, amplifier 86, ADC 88, processing module 100 that is configured to provide a setup module 92 and modulator 90, and DAC 62. User interface 101 can be any combinations of a visual interface as evidenced by display 103, tactile interface as evidenced by buttons 107, and/or an audio interface represented by microphone/speaker 109 and may operably couple to processing module 100 to initiate enhanced call functions which will be described further in FIG. 10. Transmitter module 82 includes up-converter 94, local oscillator 96, power amplifier 97, bandpass filter 98, and antenna 102.
As shown in both FIGS. 6 and 7, separable connector 112 may couple setup modules 76 and 92. Such a physical connection allows for earpiece 12 and microphone 14 to communicate in both directions with the host device to establish the piconet. For example, if the devices are compliant with one or more versions of the Bluetooth Specification, host device 16, functioning as the master, may issue a piconet request to earpiece 12 coupled to microphone 14. Upon receiving this request, earpiece 12 and microphone 14 respond to the request indicating that a receive RF channel (communication pathway 18) be setup for the earpiece and a transmit RF channel (communication pathway 20) be setup for microphone 14. Based on these responses, the master coordinates the establishment of the piconet and provides synchronization information through earpiece 12 and microphone 14 via receiver module 40 of earpiece 12. Setup modules 76 and 92 coordinate the synchronization of earpiece 12 and microphone 14 with the host device, as well as coordinating timeslot assignments and/or SCO link assignments. Once the piconet has been established in this manner, the connection between earpiece 12 and microphone may be secured to establish the earpiece 12 and microphone 14 as separate pieces.
Earpiece 12, as shown in FIG. 85, includes antenna 46, transmit/receive switch 122, receiver module 41, data recovery module 45, speaker module 47, transmitter module 120, input module 128 and display module 132. Receiver module 41, data recovery module 45 and speaker module 47 operate as discussed with reference to FIG. 6. Data recovery module 45 may produce display information that is provided to display module 132. For instance, the received RF signal may include display information such as caller ID, command information, etc. which is separated by data recovery module 45 and provided to display module 132, which may be an LCD display, plasma display, etc.
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 and convert these commands into digital command messages 144. Input module 140 couples to or includes a user interface that allows a user to initiate enhanced call functions or network hardware operations. These enhanced call functions include call initiation operations, call conferencing operations, call forwarding operations, call hold operations, call muting operations, and call waiting operations. Additionally, the user may access network interface functions, base unit 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 performing enhanced 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) that includes host module 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 module 152. When detachable earpiece 156 is not in physical contact with host module 152, a wireless connection couples detachable earpiece 156 and host module 152. Similarly, when detachable microphone 154 is detached from host module 152, a second wireless connection couples detachable microphone 154 and host module 152. Alternatively, when detachable earpiece 156 and/or detachable microphone 154 are physically coupled to host module 152, they may communicate via a physical or wireless link. 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 me 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 ear-piece 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 ear-piece 156 and microphone 154 may enable voice activated dialing. The actual voice recognition could be performed within ear-piece 156, microphone 154, or host device 152. Thus, ear-piece 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 batter 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 wireless communications serviced by a modular wireless multimedia device and a host device. The process begins at step 160 where the piconet or other like wireless connection is established to include the host device, and modular devices like the earpiece module and the microphone module. This connectivity allows the multimedia device to communicatively couple to various available networks such as a cellular network, public switched telephone network (PSTN), wide area network (WAN), local area network (LAN), and/or wireless local area network (WLAN).
This may be done in a variety of ways. For instance, a piconet may be established by exchanging configuration information via a physical connection between the host device, the earpiece module and the microphone module prior to any RF transmissions there between. Based on the configuration information, the piconet is configured and the devices are separated. Once separated, RF communications may commence. This involves receiving inbound radio frequency (RF) signals from a base unit in step 164, wherein the inbound RF signals contain inbound audio, video, text or data communications. These inbound communications are processed and then presented to a user. Outbound communications are captured and converted into outbound RF signals in step 162. Additionally, user commands are captured with a user interface located within one or more modular wireless devices to initiate enhanced call functions, network functions, playback commands or other like commands in step 166. The enhanced call functions may include the ability to initiate network interface functions, base unit interface functions, directory functions, caller ID functions, voice activated commands, call waiting functions, call conferencing functions, call initiation functions and device programming functions.
Alternatively, the piconet may be established by exchanging configuration information via various wireless communication pathways that exist between the host device, the earpiece module and the microphone module prior to data content being transmitted via the communication resources. Once the configuration information is exchanged, the piconet is established and data content RF transmissions may commence.
In step 162, outbound RF signals are transmitted from the microphone module to the host device via a first wireless communication pathway of the piconet. Simultaneously or in a half-duplex mode, step 164 occurs where inbound RF signals are transmitted from the host device to the earpiece module via a second wireless communication resource of the piconet. The communication resources may be different timeslots on the same SCO link or different SCO links The earpiece-module may be configured to block or receive the outbound RF signals transmitted by the microphone module. Such a selection may be user controlled.
1. A wireless headset operable to support voice communications over at least one servicing network, wherein the wireless headset comprises:
a wireless earpiece operable to receive radio frequency (RF) signals and render the received RF signals audible;
a wireless microphone operable to capture audio signals and convert the audio signals into transmitted RF signals; and
at least one user interface operably coupled to the at least one wireless earpiece and/or at least one wireless microphone, wherein the user interface is operable to initiate enhanced call functions based upon user input.
2. The wireless headset of claim 1, wherein at least one of the wireless earpiece and the wireless microphone comprise a detachable module.
3. The wireless headset of claim 1, wherein the at least one earpiece further comprises:
a first wireless interface operable to receive and transmit RF signals;
a first processing circuit operable to recover a first digital audio signal from received RF signals;
a digital to analog converter (DAC) operably coupled to the wireless interface and first processing circuit, wherein the DAC is operable to produce analog audio signals from the digital audio signals; and
a speaker module coupled to the DAC, wherein the speaker module is operable to render the analog audio signals audible;
the at least one wireless microphone further comprises:
a microphone transducer operable to capture audio signals and convert the captured audio signals into analog audio signals;
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;
a second processing circuit operable to produce an RF signals from the digital audio signal from; and
a second wireless interface, operably coupled to the second processing circuit, wherein the second wireless interface is operable to receive and transmit RF signals.
4. The wireless headset of claim 1, wherein a base unit wirelessly couples to the modular wireless headset.
5. The wireless headset of claim 4, wherein the base unit couples the modular wireless headset to a servicing network selected from the group consisting of:
6. The headset of claim 5, wherein the modular headset is operable to switch servicing networks while servicing a voice communication.
7. The wireless headset of claim 4, wherein the enhanced call functions comprise at least one function selected from the group consisting of:
8. The wireless headset of claim 7, wherein the user interface comprises a visual interface, tactile interface, and/or audio interface.
9. The wireless headset of claim 8, wherein the tactile interface comprises one-touch buttons operable to initiate the enhanced call functions.
10. The wireless headset of claim 8, wherein the audio interface further comprises a voice recognition system (VRS) operable to recognize voice commands.
11. The headset of claim 10, further comprising circuitry to implement the VRS.
12. The headset of claim 10, wherein the VRS is operable to implement voice activated commands while servicing voice communications.
13. The headset of claim 4, wherein the user interface supports validation and/or authentication of a servicing network.
14. The headset of claim 1, further comprising an audio mixing module operable to mix multiple audio signals to be rendered by the at least one wireless earpiece.
15. A method to service voice communications between a servicing network and a modular wireless headset, wherein the method comprises:
receiving inbound radio frequency (RF) signals from a base unit with at least one wireless earpiece, wherein the inbound RF signals contain inbound digital voice communications;
converting the inbound digital voice communications into inbound analog voice communications;
rendering the inbound analog voice communications audible with the at least one wireless earpiece;
capturing outbound voice communications with at least one wireless microphone, having a microphone transducer;
converting the captured outbound voice communications into outbound digital voice communications;
converting the outbound digital voice communications into outbound digital RF signals to be transmitted from the at least one wireless microphone to the base unit; and
initiating enhanced call functions with at least one user interface operably coupled to the at least one wireless earpiece and/or at least one wireless microphone.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising coupling the modular wireless headset to the servicing network selected from the group consisting of:
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the modular headset is operable to switch servicing networks while servicing a voice communication.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the enhanced call functions comprise at least one function selected from the group consisting of:
19. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one user interface comprises a visual interface, tactile interface, and/or audio interface.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the tactile interface comprises one-touch buttons operable to initiate the enhanced call functions.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein the audio interface further comprises a voice recognition system (VRS) operable to recognize voice commands.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the at least one wireless earpiece and/or at least one wireless microphone further comprise circuitry to implement the VRS.
23. The method of claim 21, further comprising identifying and implementing voice activated commands while servicing voice communications.
validating the servicing network with the user interface; and/or authenticating the servicing network with the user interface.
25. The method of claim 15, further comprising mixing voice communications to be rendered with the at least one wireless earpiece.
26. A wireless headset operable to support voice communications over at least one servicing network, wherein the modular wireless headset comprises:
at least one wireless earpiece wirelessly coupled to at least one base unit coupled to the at least one servicing unit, wherein the at least one wireless earpiece is operable to receive radio frequency (RF) signals and render the received RF signals audible, wherein the at least one earpiece further comprises:
at least one wireless microphone wirelessly coupled to the at least one wireless earpiece and/or the at least one base unit, wherein the at least one wireless microphone is operable to capture audio signals and convert the audio signals into transmitted RF signals, wherein the at least one wireless microphone further comprises:
a second wireless interface, operably coupled to the second processing circuit, wherein the second wireless interface is operable to receive and transmit RF signals; and
at least one user interface operably coupled to the at least one wireless earpiece and/or at least one wireless microphone, wherein the user interface is operable to initiate enhanced call functions; and wherein at least one of the wireless earpiece and wireless microphone is detachable.
27. The wireless headset of claim 26, wherein the at least one servicing network is selected from the group consisting of:
28. The headset of claim 27, wherein the modular wireless headset is operable to switch servicing networks while servicing voice communications.
29. The wireless headset of claim 26, wherein the enhanced call functions comprise at least one function selected from the group consisting of:
30. The wireless headset of claim 29, wherein the user interface comprises a visual interface, tactile interface, and/or audio interface.
31. The wireless headset of claim 30, wherein the tactile interface comprises one-touch buttons initiate the enhanced call functions.
32. The modular wireless headset of claim 29, wherein the audio interface further comprises a voice recognition system (VRS) operable to recognize voice commands.
33. The modular headset of claim 32 further comprising circuitry to implement the VRS.
34. The modular headset of claim 32, operable to implement voice activated commands while servicing voice communications.
35. The modular headset of claim 26, wherein the at least one user interface supports validation and/or authentication of a servicing network.
36. A method to service communications between a servicing network and a modular wireless multimedia device comprising:
receiving inbound radio frequency (RF) signals from a base unit with at least one wireless multimedia device, wherein the inbound RF signals contain inbound digital communications;
converting the inbound digital communications into inbound analog voice communications;
rendering the inbound communications audible with the at least one wireless multimedia device;
capturing outbound communications with at least one wireless microphone, having a microphone transducer;
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US10856430 US20050037818A1 (en) 2003-05-28 2004-05-28 Providing a universal wireless headset
US10976300 US20050136839A1 (en) 2003-05-28 2004-10-27 Modular wireless multimedia device
US10981418 US20050136958A1 (en) 2003-05-28 2004-11-04 Universal wireless multimedia device
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US10856430 Continuation-In-Part US20050037818A1 (en) 2003-05-28 2004-05-28 Providing a universal wireless headset
US10976300 Continuation-In-Part US20050136839A1 (en) 2003-05-28 2004-10-27 Modular wireless multimedia device
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US11120752 Active 2026-11-12 US8204435B2 (en) 2003-05-28 2005-05-03 Wireless headset supporting enhanced call functions
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Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:SESHADRI, NAMBIRAJAN;KARAOGUZ, JEYHAN;BENNETT, JAMES D.;SIGNING DATES FROM 20050418 TO 20050429;REEL/FRAME:016073/0876