Systems and methods for indicating headset usage

#The present invention is directed to systems and methods for indicating that a headset is in current usage. More specifically, without limitation, the present invention relates to systems and methods to locally indicate to other individuals that an individual with a headset is currently using that headset. In addition, the present invention relates to indicating to the headset user that the headset is active.

#Many devices today allow a user to receive auditory input and/or output through headsets. FIG. 1 depicts a typical prior art headset. Such devices include without limitation wireless phones, wired phones, transmitting or receiving radios, audio recording and playing devices, entertainment devices, and professional devices. A variety of headset configurations are possible and may include one or more elements such as earpiece 110, earbug, lapel microphone 120, wireless interface such as one utilizing BlueTooth, or any other device used as an interface between individuals and devices such as described above.

#When the headset is in use by an individual 140, other individuals 130 in proximity to the headset user are often confused when the headset user either fails to respond when addressed or seems to address another local individual when actually speaking into the headset microphone. Such confusion may be advantageously avoided through use of the systems and methods according to the present invention. Also, users of headsets in public or broadcasted events may be confused as to whether the headset is “live” and “on-the-air”, the present invention provides for indication to the headset user regarding the status of the headset.

#The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

#FIG. 1 depicts use of a typical prior art headset.

#FIG. 2 depicts a headset equipped with one preferred embodiment of the present invention.

#Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are now described in detail. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Finally, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meanings of “and” and “or” include both the conjunctive and disjunctive and may be used interchangeably unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

#Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

#FIG. 2 depicts one preferred indicator system according to the present invention. As compared with FIG. 1, the indicator systems and methods according to the present invention may provide individuals 130 in proximity to the headset user 140 an indication of usage 200. An individual is in proximity to the user if they are positioned close enough to perceive the indicator. Such distance may vary depending upon the indicator type (e.g., light, mechanical sign, audible signal, etc.).