Abstract:
Disclosed is a wireless headset apparatus and an operation method thereof. A separate earphone is connected to a wireless headset so that the user can listen to a voice through both the earphone and a built-in speaker included in the wireless headset. When the connected earphone includes a microphone, the function of a built-in microphone included in the wireless headset is interrupted, and a voice is received through the microphone included in the connected earphone, so that the user can smoothly communicate even when the user moves to a noisy area where the communication environment is poor.

Description:
PRIORITY  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(a) of an application entitled “Wireless Headset Apparatus And Operation Method Thereof” filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jan. 21, 2005 and assigned Serial No. 2005-5992, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a wireless headset apparatus used for a mobile terminal, and an operation method thereof.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Recently, mobile terminals have been constructed to enable the user to use and control his/her own mobile terminal via a wireless headset. For instance, the user of a mobile terminal can use a wireless headset in order to communicate in a hands-free state, when it is difficult for the user to hold the mobile terminal (such as a portable terminal) by hand. Generally, such a wireless headset is connected to a mobile terminal by a wireless communication technology, such as a Bluetooth, so that the user can communicate in a hands-free state.  
         [0006]     The operation method of a Bluetooth headset will now be described with reference to  FIG. 2  and with reference to certain elements of  FIG. 1 . Bluetooth modules  115  and  240  are included in a mobile terminal  100  and a Bluetooth headset  200 , respectively. Therefore, a communication signal, such as a signal reporting transmission/reception of a call, are bi-directionally transmitted/received through the Bluetooth modules  115  and  240 . The Bluetooth headset  200  includes a microphone  225 , a built-in speaker  230 , a communication on/off switch  245 , and a Bluetooth module  240  installed within the main body of the Bluetooth headset  200 . The Bluetooth headset  200  is provided at a lower portion thereof with a rod  40  equipped with the microphone  225 . The body of the Bluetooth headset  200  also includes a hook  30  to be worn behind a user&#39;s ear. In addition, in order to operate the Bluetooth headset  200 , a battery, such as a rechargeable battery  20 , is contained within the Bluetooth headset  200 .  
         [0007]     According to the communication method using the conventional Bluetooth headset  200 , when receiving a call, a controller  105  of the mobile terminal transmits a signal for notifying the Bluetooth headset of the reception of a call through the Bluetooth module  115  contained within the mobile terminal. After this, the user, wearing the Bluetooth headset on a user&#39;s ear by using the hook  30 , and attempts communication by adjusting the on/off button  245  included in the Bluetooth headset  200 . A controller  205  of the Bluetooth headset receives a voice signal from the user through the microphone  225  provided at a lower end of the rod  40 . Also, the user can listen to a voice output through the built-in single speaker  230  of the Bluetooth headset  200 . That is, the user uses one ear to listen to a voice output through the single speaker contained in the Bluetooth headset, which is a monaural speaker system, while leaving the other ear exposed to the outside. Accordingly, during communication, when the user moves to a noisy area, or an area where communication quality is poor, a voice output through the speaker is heard at a relatively lower volume, or the communication sensitivity is degraded due to noise. In this case, there is a limitation when communicating in that only a finite increase of volume is possible because the output power of the speaker is limited. Consequently, when the user is in an area where the communication environment is poor, it is difficult for the user to communicate.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless headset apparatus and an operation method thereof, which includes a speaker installed in a wireless headset and a separate earphone to be connected to the wireless headset so that the user can listen to a voice simultaneously through both the speaker and the earphone, thereby enabling the user to smoothly make communication even when the user moves to an area where the communication environment is poor.  
         [0009]     To accomplish this object, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless headset apparatus including an earphone connection unit including an earphone connection hole, to which an earphone can be connected, so as to output a sense signal when the earphone is connected to the earphone connection hole; a route establishment unit for establishing either a first route to output a voice to only a built-in speaker or a second route to output a voice to both the built-in speaker and the earphone connection unit depending on a control signal, and for interrupting a function of a built-in microphone and establishing a third route to receive a voice signal through a microphone included in the earphone when the earphone has the microphone attached thereto; an audio processing unit for processing a voice signal output to the built-in speaker and a voice signal input from the microphone; and a headset controller for controlling operations of the units, and outputting the control signal according to a sense signal output from earphone connection unit.  
         [0010]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation method of a wireless headset, the method including sensing if an earphone is connected during a communication mode; outputting a voice signal through a built-in speaker, when it is sensed that an earphone is not connected; and outputting a voice signal through both the built-in speaker and an earphone when it is sensed that the earphone is connected. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating the constructions of a mobile terminal and a Bluetooth headset to which the present invention is applied;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating conventional mobile terminal and Bluetooth headset  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a Bluetooth headset according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the Bluetooth headset and an earphone according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a Bluetooth headset according to another embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating the Bluetooth headset and an earphone according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0018]     Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the below description, particular items may be shown for providing a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating the constructions of a mobile terminal and a Bluetooth headset to which the present invention is applied. In  FIG. 1 , reference numeral “100” represents a mobile terminal, and reference numeral “200” represents a Bluetooth headset. The mobile terminal  100  includes a terminal controller  105 , a reception level measuring unit  110 , a Bluetooth module  115 , a key input unit  120 , a memory unit  125 , a data processing unit  130 , an audio processing unit  135 , a microphone  140 , a speaker  145 , and an RF processing unit  150 .  
         [0020]     The terminal controller  105  controls the entire operation of the mobile terminal  100 . When a call is generated, the terminal controller  105  wirelessly transmits a signal notifying the Bluetooth headset  200  of the reception of a call through the Bluetooth module  115 . The reception level measuring unit  110  measures the power level of a signal of the Bluetooth headset  200 , which has been received by an RF reception unit of the Bluetooth module  115 , under the control of the terminal controller  105 . The Bluetooth module  115  includes an RF transmission unit, the RF reception unit, and a baseband processing unit (not shown). The RF transmission unit modulates a data packet for wireless transmission generated by the baseband processing unit to a predetermined frequency band, and amplifies and transmits the modulated data packet. The RF reception unit amplifies a signal of a predetermined frequency band, from all received frequency signal, while minimizing amplification of noise. After this, the RFreception unit down-converts the amplified signal into a lower frequency band, and applies the down-converted signal to the baseband processing unit. The baseband processing unit changes the formats of various host controller interface (HCI) data packets applied from the terminal controller  105 , by adding an access code and a header to the data packets. Then, the baseband processing unit once more changes the changed data packet to a predetermined data packet for wireless transmission, and wirelessly transmits the resultant data packet with a predetermined frequency band via the RF transmission unit.  
         [0021]     Also, the baseband processing unit changes a data packet received through the RF reception unit to an HCI packet, and applies the HCI packet to the terminal controller  105  which acts as a host. Meanwhile, the Bluetooth module  115  includes a link controller (not shown), which controls the Bluetooth module  115  according to a command of a command packet applied from the terminal controller  105 . Also, the Bluetooth module  115  transmits information about the Bluetooth headset  200 , which has been received from the baseband processing unit, to the terminal controller  105  (which acts as a host) as an HCI packet. The key input unit  120  includes a plurality of numeric keys and function keys for performing various functions. The key input unit  120  outputs an electrical signal corresponding to data of a key when the key is pressed by the user. The memory unit  125  includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) and/or a RAM (Random Access Memory) for storing a plurality of programs and data. The memory stores various bell sounds, MP3, moving pictures, etc. to be transmitted by the mobile terminal, and also stores various data such as a telephone book, messages, etc, as is known.  
         [0022]     The audio processing unit  135  is generally configured with a vocoder, and operates under the control of the controller  105 . The audio processing unit  135  decodes encoded voice data, received from the RF processing unit  150 , to convert the encoded voice data into an electrical voice signal, and outputs the electrical voice signal to the speaker  145 . Then, the speaker  145  converts the received electrical voice signal into an audible sound, and outputs the audible sound. Also, the audio processing unit  135  encodes an electrical voice signal received from the microphone  140 , and outputs the encoded signal to the RF processing unit  150 . When the RF processing unit  150  receives a frequency signal, which is carried through a wireless channel of a frequency band, through an antenna under the control of the controller  105 , the RF processing unit  150  down-converts the received signal, and outputs the down-converted signal to the controller  105  while differentiating the types of data. Data output from the RF processing unit  150  to the controller  105  include character data, a paging signal received through a paging channel, and a signaling signal.  
         [0023]     Again referring to  FIG. 1 , the Bluetooth headset  200  includes a headset controller  205 , an earphone connection unit  210  having an earphone connection sensor  210 A, an audio processing unit  215 , a route establishment unit  220 , a microphone  225 , a speaker  230 , an earphone  235 , a Bluetooth module  240 , and a button input unit  245 .  
         [0024]     The headset controller  205  controls a voice communication operation of the Bluetooth headset  200  using Bluetooth wireless communication. Also, according to the present invention, the headset controller  205  receives a signal reporting that connection of the earphone  235  is sensed from the earphone connection unit  210 . When receiving an earphone sensing signal, the headset controller  205  transmits, to the route establishment unit  220 , a route establishment signal instructing the establishment of a route through which the connected earphone  235  can output a voice signal. The earphone connection unit  210  includes the earphone connection sensor  210 A for determine whether or not the earphone  235  is connected. According to the present invention, when the earphone connection unit  210  determines that the earphone  235  is connected to the earphone connection unit  210  while a call is being received or while communication is being made using the Bluetooth headset  200 , the earphone connection unit  210  functions to output a sound to the earphone  235 , as well as to the speaker  230  included in the Bluetooth headset  200 .  
         [0025]     The audio processing unit  215  demodulates a voice signal, which has been received from the Bluetooth module  240 , and outputs the demodulated voice signal to the speaker  230 . According to the present invention, the audio processing unit  215  outputs a voice signal through the built-in speaker  230  in a communication mode. Also, when connection of the earphone  235  is sensed by the earphone connection unit  210 , the audio processing unit  215  outputs a voice signal, which has been output through the built-in speaker  230 , through both the built-in speaker  230  and the connected earphone  235 . A signal, which has been converted into an electrical voice signal by the microphone  225 , is transmitted to the mobile terminal  100  through the Bluetooth module  240 .  
         [0026]     According to the present invention, the route establishment unit  220  is connected to the audio processing unit  215 , and receives a voice signal output from the audio processing unit  215 . Also, when it is sensed that the earphone  235  is connected to the earphone connection unit  210 , the route establishment unit  220  receives, from the headset controller  205 , a control signal instructing the establishment of a route, through which a voice signal is output to both the built-in speaker  230  and the earphone  235 . After this, the route establishment unit  220  performs a function of establishing a route, through which a voice signal is output to the earphone  235 , as well as the microphone  225 , according to the control signal.  
         [0027]     The Bluetooth module  240  includes an RF transmission unit, an RF reception unit, and a baseband processing unit (not shown), and is connected to the headset controller  205  through the baseband processing unit of the Bluetooth module  240 , so as to transmit/receive a control command and voice data to/from the terminal&#39;s transmitter using an HCI packet. The RF transmission unit of the Bluetooth headset  200  modulates a data packet for wireless transmission generated by the baseband processing unit to a predetermined frequency band, and amplifies and transmits the modulated data packet. The RF reception unit of the Bluetooth headset  200  amplifies a signal of a predetermined frequency band, from all received frequency signals, while minimizing amplification of noise. After this, the RF reception unit down-converts the amplified signal into a lower frequency band, and applies the down-converted signal to the baseband processing unit.  
         [0028]     The baseband processing unit of the Bluetooth headset  200  changes the formats of various HCI data packets applied from the headset controller  205 , by adding an access code and a header to the data packets. Then, the baseband processing unit once more changes the changed data packet to a predetermined data packet for wireless transmission, and wirelessly transmits the resultant data packet with a predetermined frequency band via the RF transmission unit. Also, the baseband processing unit changes a data packet received through the RF reception unit to an HCI packet, and applies the HCI packet to the headset controller  205 . The button input unit  245  may include a plurality of keys for interfacing with the user. The button input unit  245  included in the Bluetooth headset  200  is constructed such that upon reception of a call, when the Bluetooth headset  200  is located within a predetermined distance from the mobile terminal  100 , the user can communicate by adjusting the button input unit  245 .  
         [0029]     As described above, the mobile terminal and the Bluetooth headset shown in  FIG. 1  each include a Bluetooth module, respectively, and transmit/receive a signal reporting transmission/reception of a call through the Bluetooth modules. Also, the Bluetooth headset according to the present invention includes the earphone connection unit and the route establishment unit. The earphone connection unit functions to sense the connection of an earphone jack, and functions to output a voice signal, which is output through the built-in speaker and through a connected earphone, in addition to the built-in speaker, when it is sensed that the earphone is connected. Also, when it is sensed that the earphone is connected, the route establishment unit functions to establish a route for outputting a voice signal, which has been output through the built-in speaker, through both the built-in speaker and the earphone.  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a Bluetooth headset according to the present invention, and  FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the Bluetooth headset and an earphone according to the present invention. When it is determined that the controller  105  of the mobile terminal receives a call, a bell sound reporting the reception of a call is output. In this case, when the Bluetooth headset  200  is located within a predetermined distance from the mobile terminal  100 , the controller  205  of the Bluetooth headset receives a signal reporting the reception of the call from Bluetooth module  115  included in the mobile terminal  100 , through the Bluetooth module  240  included in the Bluetooth headset  200 . After this, the headset controller  205  outputs a signal indicating the reception of the call simultaneously with the mobile terminal  100  (step  300 ). In step  310 , the headset controller  205  receives a signal from the button input unit  245  of the Bluetooth headset  200  to make communication, according to the adjustment of the user, and operates in a communication mode using the Bluetooth headset. In step  320 , the headset controller  205  determines whether the earphone connection sensor  210 A of the earphone connection unit  210  senses the connection of the earphone  235  while communication is being performed. The perspective view of  FIG. 4  shows the case in which the earphone connection unit  210  includes a connection hole or jack  210 b of a predetermined size formed at a lateral surface.  
         [0031]     As a result of the determination, when it is sensed that the earphone  235  is connected to the earphone connection unit  210  through the connection hole, the headset controller  205  proceeds to step  330 . In step  330 , the headset controller  205  transmits a control signal to the route establishment unit  220  so as to establish a route for outputting a voice signal, which has been output through the built-in speaker  230 , through the earphone  235 , as well as through the built-in speaker  230 . If it is determined in step  320  that an earphone is not sensed, meaning that no earphone is connected through the connection hole, the operation of outputting a voice signal through the built-in speaker is continued. When receiving the control signal from the headset controller  205 , the route establishment unit  220  establishes a route to output a voice signal, which is output through the built-in speaker  230 , through the earphone  235 , as well as the built-in speaker  230 , based on the control signal. When the route establishment unit  220  has established a route to output a voice signal through both the earphone  235  and the built-in speaker  230 , the headset controller  205  outputs a voice signal through the speaker  230  and the earphone  235  at the same time. Accordingly, at step  340 , the user can listen to the voice signal through both the speaker  230  and the earphone  235  at the same time.  
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a Bluetooth headset according to another embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating the Bluetooth headset and an earphone according to the operation of  FIG. 5 . The operations of steps  500  to  520 , in which reception of a call by a mobile terminal is reported and communication is made by using the Bluetooth headset, are similar to the operations of steps  300  to  320  described with Bluetooth headset, are similar to the operations of steps  300  to  320  described with reference to  FIG. 3 . After this, when the headset controller  205  senses that an earphone  235  is connected to the earphone connection unit  210  through the earphone jack connection hole, the headset controller  205  determines whether the connected earphone has a microphone (step  530 ). When it is determined in step  530  that the connected earphone has a microphone, the headset controller  205  outputs a control signal to notify the route establishment unit  220  that the connected earphone has a microphone (step  540 ). When receiving the control signal, the route establishment unit  220  interrupts the on-going function of receiving a voice signal of the user through the built-in microphone of the Bluetooth headset  200 , and establishes a route to receive the voice signal of the user through the microphone  235 b included in the connected earphone. In contrast, if it is determined in step  530  that the connected earphone does not have a microphone, the headset controller  205  performs the procedure similar to that described in steps  330  and  340  of  FIG. 3 . Based on a route established in step  540 , the headset controller  205  outputs a voice through the connected earphone and the built-in speaker of the Bluetooth headset and receives a user&#39;s voice through the microphone  235 b included in the earphone.  
         [0033]     According to this embodiment of the present invention described with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , when it is sensed that an earphone is connected to the Bluetooth headset while communication is being performed using the Bluetooth headset, it is determined whether the connected earphone has a microphone. When it is determined that the connected earphone has a microphone, the controller of the Bluetooth headset controls the route establishment unit such that the route establishment unit interrupts the function of the built-in microphone included in the Bluetooth headset, and establishes a route to receive a voice of the user through the microphone included in the connected earphone. Accordingly, the user can listen to a voice through both the earphone and the built-in speaker of the Bluetooth headset, and can input user&#39;s voice through the microphone included in the earphone.  
         [0034]     While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For instance, the embodiments of the present invention has been described with respect to a Bluetooth headset, but the present invention can be applied to headset apparatuses employing various wireless communication schemes, other than the Bluetooth communication scheme. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not to be limited by the above embodiments but by the claims and the equivalents thereof.