Ultra-compact headset
AssigneeQUALCOMM Incorporated
InventorsDavid E. WISE, Nikhil JAIN
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An ultra-compact headset device including both speaker and microphone capability in at least one earphone overcomes the minimum size requirements of previous headsets by controlling the speaker and microphone functionality so that each earphone functions either as a speaker or microphone, but never both at the same time. Various embodiment headsets may include a pair of earphones each with one or more transducers capable of converting electrical signals into sound and vice versa. The ultra-compact headset may be wirelessly coupled to a mobile device, such as a cellular telephone or smart phone.
Claims18
A headset, comprising:
- a first earphone comprising;
- a first microphone;
- a first speaker positioned in close proximity to the first microphone within the first earphone;
- and
- a first wireless transceiver configured to communicate with other devices via a wireless data link, output sound signals to the first speaker, and receive sound signals from the first microphone;
- and
- a second earphone comprising:
- a second speaker;
- and
- a second transceiver configured to communicate with other devices via a wireless data link and output sound signals to the second speaker,
- wherein the first earphone is configured such that the first microphone and first speaker are not simultaneously active.
A method of using a headset comprising a first earphone and a second earphone in which one or both of the first and second earphones comprises a speaker and a microphone positioned in close proximity within the speaker, comprising:
- operating the speaker of both earphones in a normal mode;
- and
- emitting sound from the speaker in one earphone and receiving sound in a microphone of the other earphone in a telephone call mode.
A headset comprising a first earphone and a second earphone, comprising:
- means for emitting sound from both the first and second earphones in a normal mode;
- and
- means for emitting sound from first earphone and receiving sound from the second earphone in a telephone call mode.
A system, comprising:
- a mobile device comprising a wireless transceiver;
- a first earphone comprising;
- a first microphone;
- a first speaker positioned in close proximity to the first microphone within the first earphone;
- and
- a first wireless transceiver configured to communicate with mobile device via a wireless data link, output sound signals to the first speaker, receive sound signals from the first microphone and communicate received sound signals to the mobile device via the wireless data link;
- and
- a second earphone comprising:
- a second speaker;
- and
- a second transceiver configured to communicate with the mobile device via a wireless data link and output sound signals to the second speaker,
- wherein the first earphone is configured such that the first microphone and first speaker are not simultaneously active.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.