US20050136839A1 - Modular wireless multimedia device - Google Patents
Modular wireless multimedia device Download PDFInfo
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- US20050136839A1 US20050136839A1 US10/976,300 US97630004A US2005136839A1 US 20050136839 A1 US20050136839 A1 US 20050136839A1 US 97630004 A US97630004 A US 97630004A US 2005136839 A1 US2005136839 A1 US 2005136839A1
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- signals
- module
- earpiece
- wearable
- microphone
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/60—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers including speech amplifiers
- H04M1/6033—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers including speech amplifiers for providing handsfree use or a loudspeaker mode in telephone sets
- H04M1/6041—Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
- H04M1/6058—Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use involving the use of a headset accessory device connected to the portable telephone
- H04M1/6066—Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use involving the use of a headset accessory device connected to the portable telephone including a wireless connection
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
- H04M1/04—Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
- H04M1/05—Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
- H04M1/0202—Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets
- H04M1/0254—Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
- H04M1/0256—Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules wherein the modules are operable in the detached state, e.g. one module for the user interface and one module for the transceiver
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/72—Mobile telephones; Cordless telephones, i.e. devices for establishing wireless links to base stations without route selection
- H04M1/724—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
- H04M1/72403—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
- H04M1/72409—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality by interfacing with external accessories
- H04M1/72412—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality by interfacing with external accessories using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M2250/00—Details of telephonic subscriber devices
- H04M2250/02—Details of telephonic subscriber devices including a Bluetooth interface
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R2201/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones covered by H04R1/00 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
- H04R2201/10—Details of earpieces, attachments therefor, earphones or monophonic headphones covered by H04R1/10 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
- H04R2201/107—Monophonic and stereophonic headphones with microphone for two-way hands free communication
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R2420/00—Details of connection covered by H04R, not provided for in its groups
- H04R2420/07—Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W84/00—Network topologies
- H04W84/18—Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
- H04W88/02—Terminal devices
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
- H04W88/02—Terminal devices
- H04W88/04—Terminal devices adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
Definitions
- This invention generally to wireless communications and more particularly to modular wireless headset and/or headphone and communications associated therewith.
- 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.
- PDAs personal digital assistants
- RF radio frequency
- Such wireless communications have been extended to personal wireless networks, such as these defined by the Bluetooth specification.
- 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.
- 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 a monophonic audio of a quality that normally will not have perceived audio degradation. Only one audio connection at a time is supported between the headset and audio gateway.
- CVSD continuously variable slope delta
- 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 at the audio gateway is not supported. It is assumed that the headset user interface can detect user initiated action, such as the pressing of a button.
- a wireless headset provides cord-free operation between the headset and the host device (i.e., the audio gateway), there still must be a physical connectivity between the earpiece and microphone of the headset. This direct connectivity limits the physical structure that could be used for a wireless headset and, in many cases, results in headsets that are cumbersome to use and uncomfortable to wear.
- the modular wireless headset and/or headphones of the present invention substantially meet these above-identified needs and others.
- One embodiment includes at least one earpiece and at least one microphone, where the earpiece is physically separate from the microphone.
- the earpiece is operably to render inbound radio frequencies received from a host device audible.
- the wearable 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, et cetera).
- the wearable 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.
- a method for wireless communications within a piconet that includes a modular wireless headset and a host device begins by establishing a piconet that includes the host device, the earpiece module, and the microphone module. The processing continues by transmitting outbound RF signals from the microphone module to the host device via a first wireless communication resource of the piconet. The processing further continues by transmitting inbound RF signals from the host device to the earpiece module via a second wireless communication resource of the piconet.
- An embodiment of a modular communication device includes a host module and a detachable earpiece module.
- the modular communication device may further include a detachable microphone module.
- the host module is operable to generate inbound RF signals from playback baseband signals (e.g., digital audio signals produced by a CD player, DVD player, et cetera).
- the host module provides the playback baseband signals to the detachable earpiece via a physical connection when the detachable earpiece is physically coupled to the host module.
- the host module provides the inbound RF signals to the detachable earpiece via a wireless communication resource when the detachable earpiece module is not physically coupled to the host module.
- the host module may receive audio record baseband signals via a physical connection from the microphone module when the microphone module is physically coupled to the host module.
- the detachable microphone module converts the audio record baseband signals into outbound RF signals and provides the outbound RF signals to the host module via a second wireless communication resource.
- An embodiment of modular wireless headphones includes a first and second wearable earpiece.
- Each of the wearable earpieces is operably coupled to render inbound signals received from a host device into audible signals.
- each of the wearable earpieces includes a receiver module, data recovery module and speaker module.
- the receiver module is operably coupled to convert the inbound RF signals, which are received from the host device, into low intermediate frequency signals.
- the data recovery module is operably coupled to recover audio signals from the low intermediate frequency signals.
- the speaker module is operably coupled to render the audio signals audible.
- the first wearable earpiece may receive information corresponding to left channel stereo audio information, while the second wearable earpiece may receive right channel stereo audio information.
- Each of these various embodiments provides separate wearable components of a headset and/or headphones.
- 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.
- the earpieces may be form fitted to an individual's ear, contain an eyeglass clip-on piece, etc.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram of a modular wireless headset in accordance with the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a diagram of another modular wireless headset in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an access point in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a wearable earpiece in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a wearable microphone in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an alternate wearable earpiece in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of another wearable microphone in accordance with the present invention.
- FIGS. 8-10 are graphic representations of various piconets that include a modular wireless headset and host device in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 11 is a diagram of a modular communication device in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 12 is a logic diagram of a method for wireless communications within a piconet that includes a modular wireless headset and host device in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram of a modular wireless headset 10 that includes a wearable earpiece 12 and a wearable microphone 14 .
- Wearable earpiece 12 may be a separate physical device from wearable microphone 14 .
- wearable earpiece 12 and wearable microphone 14 are separate communication devices that may individually communicate with host device 16 via separate communication pathways.
- wearable 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 via a first communication pathway 18 .
- Host device 16 is operable to establish a wireless pathway to earpiece 12 or microphone 14 .
- the wearable microphone 14 may communicate with the host device 16 using transceiver (or transmitter) 15 via a second communication pathway 20 .
- communication resources 18 and 20 may be different timeslot allocations on the same synchronous connection orientated (SCO) link, or may be separate SCO links. Configuration and construction details of wearable earpiece 12 and wearable microphone 14 will be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 4-12 .
- FIG. 2 is a diagram of another embodiment of modular wireless headset 30 that includes two wearable earpieces 12 A and 12 B, and wearable microphone 14 .
- microphone 14 communicates with host device 16 via communication pathway 20
- wearable earpiece 12 A communicates with host device 16 using transceiver (or receiver) 13 A via communication pathway 18
- wearable earpiece 12 B communicates with host device 16 using transceiver (or receiver) 13 B via communication pathway 32 .
- voice produced by the individual wearing microphone 14 is received via microphone 34 and converted into RF signals by circuitry within wearable microphone 14 . These RF signals are provided to host device 16 via communication pathway 20 .
- Host device 16 includes a corresponding receiver antenna 34 and receiver module 36 to recapture the audio signals received via communication pathways 18 , 20 and 32 . These items will be further discussed in FIG. 3 .
- host device 16 includes at least one transmitter 38 to transmit audio information to the wearable earpiece(s) 12 A and 12 B. In one embodiment, host device 16 may transmit left channel stereo information to wearable earpiece 12 and right channel stereo information to wearable earpiece 12 B.
- a wireless headphone may be realized by omitting wearable microphone 14 and including either one or both of wearable earpieces 12 A and 12 B.
- host device may be a playback device such as a CD player, DVD player, cassette player, etc. operable to stream audio information.
- FIG. 3 is a diagram of host device that supports modular wireless headset 30 .
- Host device 16 includes a combination of transmitter and receiver (or transceiver) modules that accept and modulate or demodulate streamed audio to and from earpiece(s) 12 and microphone 14 through antenna 17 .
- the host device may be incorporated within or operably couple to another device such as a playback device, laptop, cellular telephone, land based telephone or other like device known to those skilled in the art.
- a playback device such as a playback device, laptop, cellular telephone, land based telephone or other like device known to those skilled in the art.
- Transmitter module 19 accepts unmodulated streamed audio from playback type device 23 (e.g., DVD player, MP3 player, CD player, cassette player, or other like devices known to those skilled in the art.).
- Transmitter module 19 then modulates the streamed audio into low intermediate frequency (IF) signal 70 .
- IF intermediate frequency
- multiple transmitter modules 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.
- receiver module 21 accepts modulated streamed audio from wearable microphone 14 .
- Receiver module 21 recovers audio signals from the received low IF signals.
- the recovered audio signals are then relayed to receiving device 25 .
- the generation of low IF signals and subsequent demodulation to recapture audio signal may be done in accordance with a particular wireless communication standard.
- the Bluetooth specification may be used, IEEE802.11 (a), (b), and/or (g) may also be used, etc.
- FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of wearable earpiece 12 .
- Wearable earpiece 12 includes receiver module 40 , data recovery module 42 and speaker module 44 .
- receiver module 40 includes antenna 46 , bandpass filter 48 , low noise amplifier 50 , down converter 52 and local oscillator 54 .
- Data recovery module 42 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 44 includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 62 , variable gain module 64 , and at least one speaker 66 .
- DAC digital-to-analog converter
- receiver module 40 receives inbound RF signal 68 from host device 16 via antenna 46 .
- Bandpass filter 48 filters the received RF signal 68 which are subsequently amplified by low noise amplifier 50 .
- Down converter 52 converts the filtered and gained RF signal 68 into low intermediate frequency (IF) signal 70 based on a local oscillator 54 .
- Low IF signals 70 may have a carrier frequency at DC ranging to a few megahertz.
- Data recovery module 42 receives low IF signals 70 and converts the low IF signals 70 into digital signals via ADC 56 .
- Processing module 58 may be a single processing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such a processing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions.
- the memory (not shown) may be a single memory device or a plurality of memory devices.
- Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, and/or any device that stores digital information.
- processing module 58 implements one or more of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry
- the memory storing the corresponding operational instructions is embedded with the circuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.
- Digital channel filter 60 receives the digital low IF signals 72 and filters these signals.
- Demodulator 61 recovers audio signals 74 from the filtered low IF signals.
- the generation of RF signal 68 and subsequent demodulation to recapture audio signal 74 may be done in accordance with a particular wireless communication standard.
- the Bluetooth specification may be used; IEEE802.11 (a), (b), and/or (g) may also be used, etc.
- Speaker module 44 converts digital audio signal 74 into analog signals provided to the user through speakers 66 .
- Adjustable gain module 64 adjusts the gain (i.e., adjusts volume), and provides the gained signals to speaker 66 , which produces audible signals 74 . As long as the piconet remains in place between wearable earpiece 12 and host device 16 , wearable earpiece 12 will produce audible signals 74 from received inbound RF signal 68 .
- FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of wearable microphone 14 that includes audio input module 80 and transmitter module 82 .
- 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 .
- Transmitter module 82 includes up-converter 94 , local oscillator 96 , power amplifier 97 , bandpass filter 98 , and antenna 102 .
- microphone 84 is operably coupled to receive audio signals 105 and convert these signals to analog signals 106 .
- Amplifier 86 amplifies analog audio signals 106 to produce amplified signals.
- ADC 88 then converts the amplified signals into digital audio signals 108 .
- Modulator 90 modulates the digital signals based on a communication standard into modulated signals. As shown, modulator 90 and setup module 92 are implemented within processing module 100 .
- Processing module 100 may be a single processing device or a plurality of processing devices.
- Such a processing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions.
- the memory may be a single memory device or a plurality of memory devices.
- Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, and/or any device that stores digital information.
- processing module 100 implements one or more of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry
- the memory storing the corresponding operational instructions is embedded with the circuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.
- Up-converter 94 converts modulated signals 110 into RF signals based on local oscillator 96 .
- Power amplifier 97 amplifies these signals which may be subsequently bandpass filter 98 .
- the filtered RF signals are then transmitted via antenna 102 as outbound RF signals 110 to host device 16 .
- wearable microphone 14 will transmit to host device 16 in the manner just described.
- separable connector 112 may couple setup modules 76 and 92 .
- Such a physical connection allows for wearable earpiece 12 and wearable microphone 14 to communicate in both directions with the host device to establish the piconet.
- host device 16 functioning as the master, may issue a piconet request to wearable earpiece 12 coupled to wearable microphone 14 .
- wearable earpiece 12 and wearable microphone 14 respond to the request indicating that a receive RF channel (communication pathway 18 ) be setup for the wearable earpiece and a transmit RF channel (communication pathway 20 ) be setup for wearable microphone 14 .
- the master coordinates the establishment of the piconet and provides synchronization information through wearable earpiece 12 and wearable 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.
- the connection between wearable earpiece 12 and wearable microphone may be secured to establish the wearable earpiece 12 and wearable microphone 14 as separate pieces.
- wearable earpiece 12 , wearable microphone 14 may be directly coupled to the host device.
- the direct coupling may be used to establish the piconet and exchange synchronization information, timeslot allocation information, etc. Once the information has been exchanged in this manner, the connections may be broken such that wearable earpiece 12 , wearable microphone 14 and host device 16 are physically separate devices.
- FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate schematic block diagrams of wearable earpiece 12 and wearable microphone 14 that include transceiver modules (i.e., receiver modules and transmitter modules).
- transceiver modules i.e., receiver modules and transmitter modules.
- the use of the transceiver modules allow wearable earpiece 12 , wearable microphone 14 and host device 16 to be physically separate devices and be configured using the piconet's RF communications. As such, wearable earpiece 12 and wearable microphone 14 may be continuously worn on a person for receiving incoming calls and/or placing outgoing calls.
- Wearable earpiece 12 includes antenna 46 , transmit/receive switch 122 , receiver module 40 , data recovery module 42 , speaker module 44 , transmitter module 120 , input module 128 and display module 132 .
- Receiver module 40 , data recovery module 42 and speaker module 44 operate as discussed with reference to FIG. 4 , with the exception of the data recovery module 42 , to produce display information that is provided to display module 132 .
- the received RF signal may include display information such as caller ID, command information, etc. which is separated by data recovery module 42 and provided to display module 132 , which may be an LCD display, plasma display, etc.
- Input module 128 which may be a keypad, touch screen, voice recognition circuit, or other like user interfaces, receives user commands and produces digital command messages 124 there from.
- digital command messages 124 includes, but are not limited to, packet size, synchronization information, frequency hopping initiation information, timeslot allocation information, link establishment information, piconet address information, fast-forward, play, pause, volume adjust, record, stop and rewind.
- Data recovery module 42 receives digital command messages 124 and, when applicable, processes the command messages. For example, if the command message is with respect to a volume adjust; a graphical representation of adjusting the volume may be presented on display module 132 and the gain of amplifier 64 adjusted to adjust the volume associated with speaker 66 .
- Transmit module 120 receives digital command messages 124 and converts these messages into outbound RF command signals 126 , which are subsequently transmitted to host device 16 and/or microphone module via antenna 46 . Accordingly, by including transmitter module 120 along with receiver module 40 , wearable earpiece 12 may function as a master and/or slave within the piconet and exchange data with the other elements within the piconet.
- FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of wearable 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 .
- 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 .
- 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 .
- FIGS. 8-10 illustrate various configurations for piconet 149 .
- the piconet includes host device 16 , wearable earpiece 12 and wearable microphone 14 .
- wearable microphone 14 functions as the master such that, as the master, wearable microphone 14 establishes and breakdowns the piconet, provides synchronization information and perform timeslot allocations and/or establish multiple SCO links with host device 16 and wearable earpiece 12 .
- host device 16 has master responsibilities
- wearable earpiece 12 has master responsibilities.
- wearable earpiece 12 has master responsibilities.
- wearable earpiece 12 and wearable microphone 14 may be completely physically separate devices from each other and from the host device.
- the wearable earpiece and wearable microphone may be physically coupled to establish piconet 140 . Once piconet 140 is established, the devices may be physically separated and communicate with host device 16 via separate RF communication pathways as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .
- 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 .
- 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 .
- the detachable earpiece may be configured as shown in FIG. 4 or 6
- the detachable microphone may be configured as shown in FIG. 5 or 7 .
- a wireless connection couples detachable earpiece 156 and host module 152 .
- a second wireless connection couples detachable microphone 154 and host module 152 .
- detachable earpiece 156 and/or detachable microphone 154 are physically coupled to host module 152 , they may communicate via a physical or wireless link.
- modular communication device 150 may include multiple detachable earpieces 156 .
- 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 ear-piece 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 ear-piece 156 or microphone 154 .
- a user interface 158 and display 160 within host device 152 or a user interface and display located on either detachable ear-piece 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 ear-piece 156 and microphone 154 would allow ear-piece 156 and microphone 154 to share resources, such as batter life, and allow ear-piece 156 and microphone 154 to be recharged from host device 152 .
- Ear-piece/microphone/base portion are included with cell phone battery.
- Cell phone battery has openings 162 and 164 located therein for storage/recharging of ear-piece 156 and microphone 154 . When located in these openings, the ear-piece/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 ear-piece/microphone in the same manner as wired ear-piece/microphone is treated.
- FIG. 12 is a logic diagram of a method for wireless communications within a piconet that includes a modular wireless headset and a host device.
- the process begins at step 160 where the piconet is established to include the host device, the earpiece module and the microphone module.
- the 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.
- 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.
- step 162 outbound RF signals are transmitted from the microphone module to the host device via a first wireless communication pathway of the piconet.
- 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.
Abstract
Description
- This Application is 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 on May 28, 2003, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. This Application 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 on May 28, 2003, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- This invention generally to wireless communications and more particularly to modular wireless headset and/or headphone and communications associated therewith.
- 2. Background of the Invention
- 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. 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.
- In particular, 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 a monophonic audio of a quality that normally will not have 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 at the audio gateway is not supported. It is assumed that the headset user interface can detect user initiated action, such as the pressing of a button.
- While a wireless headset provides cord-free operation between the headset and the host device (i.e., the audio gateway), there still must be a physical connectivity between the earpiece and microphone of the headset. This direct connectivity limits the physical structure that could be used for a wireless headset and, in many cases, results in headsets that are cumbersome to use and uncomfortable to wear.
- Therefore, a need exists for a method and apparatus for a modular headset that is less cumbersome, more discrete, and more comfortable to wear.
- The modular wireless headset and/or headphones of the present invention substantially meet these above-identified needs and others. One embodiment includes at least one earpiece and at least one microphone, where the earpiece is physically separate from the microphone. The earpiece is operably to render inbound radio frequencies received from a host device audible. To do this, the wearable 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, et cetera). The wearable 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.
- In another embodiment, a method for wireless communications within a piconet that includes a modular wireless headset and a host device begins by establishing a piconet that includes the host device, the earpiece module, and the microphone module. The processing continues by transmitting outbound RF signals from the microphone module to the host device via a first wireless communication resource of the piconet. The processing further continues by transmitting inbound RF signals from the host device to the earpiece module via a second wireless communication resource of the piconet.
- An embodiment of a modular communication device includes a host module and a detachable earpiece module. The modular communication device may further include a detachable microphone module. The host module is operable to generate inbound RF signals from playback baseband signals (e.g., digital audio signals produced by a CD player, DVD player, et cetera). The host module provides the playback baseband signals to the detachable earpiece via a physical connection when the detachable earpiece is physically coupled to the host module. The host module provides the inbound RF signals to the detachable earpiece via a wireless communication resource when the detachable earpiece module is not physically coupled to the host module. The host module may receive audio record baseband signals via a physical connection from the microphone module when the microphone module is physically coupled to the host module. When the microphone module is not physically coupled to the host module, the detachable microphone module converts the audio record baseband signals into outbound RF signals and provides the outbound RF signals to the host module via a second wireless communication resource.
- An embodiment of modular wireless headphones includes a first and second wearable earpiece. Each of the wearable earpieces is operably coupled to render inbound signals received from a host device into audible signals. In addition, each of the wearable earpieces includes a receiver module, data recovery module and speaker module. The receiver module is operably coupled to convert the inbound RF signals, which are received from the host device, into low intermediate frequency signals. The data recovery module is operably coupled to recover audio signals from the low intermediate frequency signals. The speaker module is operably coupled to render the audio signals audible. In such an embodiment, the first wearable earpiece may receive information corresponding to left channel stereo audio information, while the second wearable earpiece may receive right channel stereo audio information.
- Each of these various embodiments provides separate wearable 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. 1 is a diagram of a modular wireless headset in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a diagram of another modular wireless headset in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an access point in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a wearable earpiece in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a wearable microphone in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an alternate wearable earpiece in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of another wearable microphone in accordance with the present invention; -
FIGS. 8-10 are graphic representations of various piconets that include a modular wireless headset and host device in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 11 is a diagram of a modular communication device in accordance with the present invention; and -
FIG. 12 is a logic diagram of a method for wireless communications within a piconet that includes a modular wireless headset and host device in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a modular wireless headset 10 that includes awearable earpiece 12 and awearable microphone 14.Wearable earpiece 12 may be a separate physical device fromwearable microphone 14. Accordingly,wearable earpiece 12 andwearable microphone 14 are separate communication devices that may individually communicate withhost device 16 via separate communication pathways. As shown,wearable earpiece 12 may communicate withhost device 16, which may be a cellular telephone, wire line telephone, laptop computer, personal computer, personal digital assistant, etc, using transceiver (or receiver) 13 via afirst communication pathway 18.Host device 16 is operable to establish a wireless pathway to earpiece 12 ormicrophone 14. Thewearable microphone 14 may communicate with thehost device 16 using transceiver (or transmitter) 15 via asecond communication pathway 20. - If the first and
second communication pathways communication resources wearable earpiece 12 andwearable microphone 14 will be described in greater detail with reference toFIGS. 4-12 . -
FIG. 2 is a diagram of another embodiment of modular wireless headset 30 that includes twowearable earpieces wearable microphone 14. In this configuration,microphone 14 communicates withhost device 16 viacommunication pathway 20,wearable earpiece 12A communicates withhost device 16 using transceiver (or receiver) 13A viacommunication pathway 18 andwearable earpiece 12B communicates withhost device 16 using transceiver (or receiver) 13B viacommunication pathway 32. - In operation, voice produced by the
individual wearing microphone 14 is received via microphone 34 and converted into RF signals by circuitry withinwearable microphone 14. These RF signals are provided tohost device 16 viacommunication pathway 20.Host device 16 includes a corresponding receiver antenna 34 and receiver module 36 to recapture the audio signals received viacommunication pathways FIG. 3 . In addition,host device 16 includes at least one transmitter 38 to transmit audio information to the wearable earpiece(s) 12A and 12B. In one embodiment,host device 16 may transmit left channel stereo information towearable earpiece 12 and right channel stereo information towearable earpiece 12B. - A wireless headphone may be realized by omitting
wearable microphone 14 and including either one or both ofwearable earpieces -
FIG. 3 is a diagram of host device that supports modular wireless headset 30.Host device 16 includes a combination of transmitter and receiver (or transceiver) modules that accept and modulate or demodulate streamed audio to and from earpiece(s) 12 andmicrophone 14 throughantenna 17. The host device may be incorporated within or operably couple to another device such as a playback device, laptop, cellular telephone, land based telephone or other like device known to those skilled in the art. For example, one embodiment hastransmitter module 19 andreceiver module 21.Transmitter module 19 accepts unmodulated streamed audio from playback type device 23 (e.g., DVD player, MP3 player, CD player, cassette player, or other like devices known to those skilled in the art.).Transmitter module 19 then modulates the streamed audio into low intermediate frequency (IF) signal 70. In the case where two earpieces are employed, multiple transmitter modules 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. Similarly,receiver module 21 accepts modulated streamed audio fromwearable microphone 14.Receiver module 21 recovers audio signals from the received low IF signals. The recovered audio signals are then relayed to receivingdevice 25. 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. -
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram ofwearable earpiece 12.Wearable earpiece 12 includesreceiver module 40,data recovery module 42 andspeaker module 44. One embodiment ofreceiver module 40 includesantenna 46,bandpass filter 48,low noise amplifier 50, downconverter 52 andlocal oscillator 54.Data recovery module 42 may include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 56 andprocessing module 58.Processing module 58, which may have associated memory, is configured to providedigital channel filter 60,demodulator 61 andsetup module 76.Speaker module 44 includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 62,variable gain module 64, and at least onespeaker 66. - Once the piconet is configured (which will be described subsequently),
receiver module 40 receivesinbound RF signal 68 fromhost device 16 viaantenna 46.Bandpass filter 48 filters the receivedRF signal 68 which are subsequently amplified bylow noise amplifier 50. Downconverter 52 converts the filtered and gainedRF signal 68 into low intermediate frequency (IF) signal 70 based on alocal oscillator 54. Low IF signals 70 may have a carrier frequency at DC ranging to a few megahertz. -
Data recovery module 42 receives low IF signals 70 and converts the low IF signals 70 into digital signals viaADC 56.Processing module 58 may be a single processing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such a processing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions. The memory (not shown) may be a single memory device or a plurality of memory devices. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note that when processingmodule 58 implements one or more of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory storing the corresponding operational instructions is embedded with the circuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry. -
Digital channel filter 60 receives the digital low IF signals 72 and filters these signals.Demodulator 61 recovers audio signals 74 from the filtered low IF signals. Note that the generation ofRF signal 68 and subsequent demodulation to recaptureaudio signal 74 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. -
Speaker module 44 convertsdigital audio signal 74 into analog signals provided to the user throughspeakers 66.Adjustable gain module 64 adjusts the gain (i.e., adjusts volume), and provides the gained signals tospeaker 66, which produces audible signals 74. As long as the piconet remains in place betweenwearable earpiece 12 andhost device 16,wearable earpiece 12 will produceaudible signals 74 from receivedinbound RF signal 68. -
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram ofwearable microphone 14 that includesaudio input module 80 andtransmitter module 82.Audio input module 80 includesmicrophone 84,amplifier 86,ADC 88,processing module 100 that is configured to provide a setup module 92 andmodulator 90, andDAC 62.Transmitter module 82 includes up-converter 94,local oscillator 96,power amplifier 97,bandpass filter 98, andantenna 102. - Once
wearable microphone 14 is configured within a piconet,microphone 84 is operably coupled to receiveaudio signals 105 and convert these signals to analog signals 106.Amplifier 86 amplifies analog audio signals 106 to produce amplified signals.ADC 88 then converts the amplified signals into digital audio signals 108.Modulator 90 modulates the digital signals based on a communication standard into modulated signals. As shown,modulator 90 and setup module 92 are implemented withinprocessing module 100.Processing module 100 may be a single processing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such a processing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions. The memory may be a single memory device or a plurality of memory devices. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note that when processingmodule 100 implements one or more of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory storing the corresponding operational instructions is embedded with the circuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry. - Up-
converter 94 converts modulatedsignals 110 into RF signals based onlocal oscillator 96.Power amplifier 97 amplifies these signals which may be subsequentlybandpass filter 98. The filtered RF signals are then transmitted viaantenna 102 as outbound RF signals 110 tohost device 16. As long as the piconet is established to includewearable microphone 14 andhost device 16,wearable microphone 14 will transmit to hostdevice 16 in the manner just described. - As shown in both
FIGS. 4 and 5 ,separable connector 112 may couplesetup modules 76 and 92. Such a physical connection allows forwearable earpiece 12 andwearable 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 towearable earpiece 12 coupled towearable microphone 14. Upon receiving this request,wearable earpiece 12 andwearable microphone 14 respond to the request indicating that a receive RF channel (communication pathway 18) be setup for the wearable earpiece and a transmit RF channel (communication pathway 20) be setup forwearable microphone 14. Based on these responses, the master coordinates the establishment of the piconet and provides synchronization information throughwearable earpiece 12 andwearable microphone 14 viareceiver module 40 ofearpiece 12.Setup modules 76 and 92 coordinate the synchronization ofearpiece 12 andmicrophone 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 betweenwearable earpiece 12 and wearable microphone may be secured to establish thewearable earpiece 12 andwearable microphone 14 as separate pieces. - As an alternative setup mode,
wearable earpiece 12,wearable microphone 14 may be directly coupled to the host device. The direct coupling may be used to establish the piconet and exchange synchronization information, timeslot allocation information, etc. Once the information has been exchanged in this manner, the connections may be broken such thatwearable earpiece 12,wearable microphone 14 andhost device 16 are physically separate devices. -
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate schematic block diagrams ofwearable earpiece 12 andwearable microphone 14 that include transceiver modules (i.e., receiver modules and transmitter modules). The use of the transceiver modules allowwearable earpiece 12,wearable microphone 14 andhost device 16 to be physically separate devices and be configured using the piconet's RF communications. As such,wearable earpiece 12 andwearable microphone 14 may be continuously worn on a person for receiving incoming calls and/or placing outgoing calls. -
Wearable earpiece 12, as shown inFIG. 5 , includesantenna 46, transmit/receiveswitch 122,receiver module 40,data recovery module 42,speaker module 44,transmitter module 120,input module 128 anddisplay module 132.Receiver module 40,data recovery module 42 andspeaker module 44 operate as discussed with reference toFIG. 4 , with the exception of thedata recovery module 42, to produce display information that is provided to displaymodule 132. For instance, the received RF signal may include display information such as caller ID, command information, etc. which is separated bydata recovery module 42 and provided to displaymodule 132, which may be an LCD display, plasma display, etc. -
Input module 128, which may be a keypad, touch screen, voice recognition circuit, or other like user interfaces, receives user commands and producesdigital command messages 124 there from. Suchdigital command messages 124 includes, but are not limited to, packet size, synchronization information, frequency hopping initiation information, timeslot allocation information, link establishment information, piconet address information, fast-forward, play, pause, volume adjust, record, stop and rewind. -
Data recovery module 42 receivesdigital command messages 124 and, when applicable, processes the command messages. For example, if the command message is with respect to a volume adjust; a graphical representation of adjusting the volume may be presented ondisplay module 132 and the gain ofamplifier 64 adjusted to adjust the volume associated withspeaker 66. - Transmit
module 120 receivesdigital command messages 124 and converts these messages into outbound RF command signals 126, which are subsequently transmitted tohost device 16 and/or microphone module viaantenna 46. Accordingly, by includingtransmitter module 120 along withreceiver module 40,wearable earpiece 12 may function as a master and/or slave within the piconet and exchange data with the other elements within the piconet. -
FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram ofwearable microphone 14 that includesaudio input module 80,transmitter module 82, transmit receiveswitch 122,antenna 102,receiver module 132,input module 140 anddisplay module 138.Input module 140 is operable to receive user input commands 142 and convert these commands intodigital command messages 144.Digital command messages 144 may be similar todigital command messages 124 and may further include establish a call, terminate a call, call waiting, or other like functions.Transmitter module 82 convertsdigital command messages 144 into RF command signals 134 that are transmitted viaantenna 102. Similarly, inbound RF command signals 135 may be received byreceiver module 132 viaantenna 102.Display module 138, which may be a LCD display, plasma display, etc., receivesdigital 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 ondisplay module 138. -
FIGS. 8-10 illustrate various configurations forpiconet 149. InFIGS. 8-10 , the piconet includeshost device 16,wearable earpiece 12 andwearable microphone 14. InFIG. 8 ,wearable microphone 14 functions as the master such that, as the master,wearable microphone 14 establishes and breakdowns the piconet, provides synchronization information and perform timeslot allocations and/or establish multiple SCO links withhost device 16 andwearable earpiece 12. InFIG. 9 ,host device 16 has master responsibilities, whereas inFIG. 10 ,wearable earpiece 12 has master responsibilities. As such, by configuringwearable earpiece 12 andwearable microphone 14, as discussed inFIGS. 6 and 7 ,wearable earpiece 12 andwearable microphone 14 may be completely physically separate devices from each other and from the host device. Alternatively, as discussed with reference toFIGS. 4 and 5 , the wearable earpiece and wearable microphone may be physically coupled to establishpiconet 140. Oncepiconet 140 is established, the devices may be physically separated and communicate withhost device 16 via separate RF communication pathways as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 . -
FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram ofmodular communication device 150, such as a wireless terminal (e.g., cell phone) that includeshost module 152,detachable microphone 154 anddetachable earpiece 156. In this embodiment,modular communication device 150 may function as a typical device (e.g., cellular telephone, CD player, cassette player, etc.) whendetachable earpiece 156 anddetachable microphone 154 are physically connected tohost module 152. The detachable earpiece may be configured as shown inFIG. 4 or 6, and the detachable microphone may be configured as shown inFIG. 5 or 7. As such, whendetachable earpiece 156 is not in physical contact withhost module 152, a wireless connection couplesdetachable earpiece 156 andhost module 152. Similarly, whendetachable microphone 154 is detached fromhost module 152, a second wireless connection couplesdetachable microphone 154 andhost module 152. Alternatively, whendetachable earpiece 156 and/ordetachable microphone 154 are physically coupled tohost 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 multipledetachable earpieces 156. In addition,modular communication device 150 may omitdetachable microphone 154 ifhost device 152 is a playback type device (e.g., DVD player, CD player, cassette player, etc.). Similarly,modular communication device 150 may omitdetachable earpiece 156 when functioning as a recording device (e.g., dictaphone). Detachable ear-piece 156 andmicrophone 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 auser interface 158 anddisplay 160 withinhost device 152 or a user interface and display located on either detachable ear-piece 156 ormicrophone 154. The user interface and display, located on either the host device or detachable ear-piece 156 andmicrophone 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 andmicrophone 154 may enable voice activated dialing. The actual voice recognition could be performed within ear-piece 156,microphone 154, orhost device 152. Thus, ear-piece 156 andmicrophone 154 may act to initiate calls and receive calls. - A link between ear-
piece 156 andmicrophone 154 would allow ear-piece 156 andmicrophone 154 to share resources, such as batter life, and allow ear-piece 156 andmicrophone 154 to be recharged fromhost device 152. Ear-piece/microphone/base portion are included with cell phone battery. Cell phone battery hasopenings piece 156 andmicrophone 154. When located in these openings, the ear-piece/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 ear-piece/microphone in the same manner as wired ear-piece/microphone is treated. -
FIG. 12 is a logic diagram of a method for wireless communications within a piconet that includes a modular wireless headset and a host device. The process begins atstep 160 where the piconet is established to include the host device, the earpiece module and the microphone module. This may be done in a variety of ways. For instance, the 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. 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. - The process then proceeds to step 162 where 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. - The preceding discussion has presented a modular communication device, modular wireless headset and modular wireless headphones. By physically separating the microphone from the earpiece and/or by separating the earpieces, more discrete components may be produced that are more comfortable to wear and are less cumbersome to use. As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, other embodiments may be derived from the teaching of the present invention without deviating from the scope of the claims.
Claims (32)
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