1111111111111111 IIIIII IIIII 11111 1111111111 lllll 111111111111111 11111 11111 1111111111 11111111
`US 20080298606Al
`
`c19) United States
`c12) Patent Application Publication
`JOHNSON et al.
`
`c10) Pub. No.: US 2008/0298606 Al
`Dec. 4, 2008
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) WIRELESS DIGITAL AUDIO PLAYER
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors:
`
`Kevin M. JOHNSON, Natick, MA
`(US); John D. GUNDLACH,
`Acton, MA (US)
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/941,559, filed on Jun.
`1, 2007.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Correspondence Address:
`GROSSMAN, TUCKER, PERREAULT &
`PFLEGER, PLLC
`55 SOUTH COMMERICAL STREET
`MANCHESTER, NH 03101 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`MANIFOLD PRODUCTS, LLC,
`Natick, MA (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`12/131,603
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jun.2,2008
`
`10
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04R 1110
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. .......................................................... 381/74
`ABSTRACT
`
`(57)
`
`The present disclosure relates to a device and method for
`audio playback, comprising at least two earpieces wherein
`each of the earpieces include memory configured to store
`audio content and/or data thereon and a timing device. The
`two earpieces are configured to asynchronously provide
`audio playback of the audio content stored in said memory
`upon or after synchronization and at a rate determined by the
`timing device to provide acceptably matched audio content.
`
`c~l 12
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`
`Page 1 of 13
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 4, 2008 Sheet 1 of 6
`
`US 2008/0298606 Al
`
`10
`
`FIG. 1
`
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 4, 2008 Sheet 2 of 6
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`US 2008/0298606 Al
`
`22
`
`24
`
`29
`
`28
`
`27 ---
`
`210
`
`26
`
`212
`
`FIG. 2
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 4, 2008 Sheet 3 of 6
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`US 2008/0298606 Al
`
`32A
`
`--32
`
`30A
`
`FIG. 3
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 4, 2008 Sheet 4 of 6
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`US 2008/0298606 Al
`
`Remove earpieces
`
`4 10
`\_ from base station
`
`and separate
`(electrically) from
`one another
`
`•Ir
`
`4 20
`~ Timing device
`begins counting
`
`~
`
`... Compare elapsed
`clock counts
`
`50
`4
`
`l)
`
`0
`
`4 30
`\_ Audio playback
`
`begins
`
`'r
`
`60
`4
`
`Determine timing k/
`
`differences
`
`4 40
`
`, '
`"- Earpieces brought
`
`into electrical
`contact
`
`•Ir
`
`4 80
`\_ Separate ear
`
`pieces - Continue
`audio playback
`
`11'
`
`49 0
`\_ Audio playback
`
`ends
`
`'r
`
`4 70
`Adjust audio ~
`playback
`
`FIG. 4
`
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 4, 2008 Sheet 5 of 6
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`US 2008/0298606 Al
`
`56~
`
`50
`
`FIG. 5
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 4, 2008 Sheet 6 of 6
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`US 2008/0298606 Al
`
`E1
`time
`counts (s)
`
`E2
`time
`counts (s)
`
`~
`
`~
`
`~
`
`le1
`I
`
`Tp
`
`Skip
`
`~
`
`Skip
`
`le2
`I
`
`Tp
`
`~
`
`-
`
`~
`
`-...
`
`FIG. 6
`
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`US 2008/0298606 Al
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`Dec. 4, 2008
`
`1
`
`WIRELESS DIGITAL AUDIO PLAYER
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] The present application claims the benefit of the
`filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/941,559,
`filed on Jun. 1, 2007, the teachings of which are incorporated
`herein by reference.
`
`FIELD OF INVENTION
`
`[0002] The present invention relates to a wireless digital
`audio player for a user's ear (e.g. in-ear or on-ear) using
`independent, asynchronous generators playing in unison
`which may optimize weight and playback time of audio data.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0003] Digital music players allow a listener to enjoy high(cid:173)
`quality sound from a relatively compact device, which may be
`capable of holding anywhere from a few hundred to 15,000
`songs. The audio may be digitally encoded into files using a
`variety of techniques. One of the more common current
`encoding formats for the audio files is defined in the Moving
`Picture Experts Group's MPEG-1 layer 3 audio standard
`( commonly called MP3). However, a number of other formats
`may also be utilized, such as WAY, WMA, AAC, Apple Loss(cid:173)
`less, AIFF, etc.
`[0004] Major categories of digital music players may
`include flash memory-based players and hard disk players;
`however, a number of other digital music players or portable
`music players are also available. One of the first devices to
`arrive on the market was based on flash memory. Flash
`memory is typically considered to be non-volatile, meaning it
`can retain information without electricity, but is electroni(cid:173)
`cally erasable and reprogrammable. Flash based players
`offered a relatively small amount of storage, usually between
`32 and 128 MB. As the price for this memory has decreased,
`the amount of storage in these devices has increased to 512
`MB or more. After being digitally compressed, each song
`may require about 1 MB per minute using the MP3 format,
`giving the listener from 30 minutes to eight hours oflistening
`time. Because the technology may be based on electrically
`programmable circuits, there may not be any moving parts.
`[0005] Additionally, the circuits of flash memory players
`may require relatively little physical space, allowing the play(cid:173)
`ers to be very small. These two factors may make the flash
`players relatively ideal for running, working out or other
`activities where CDs might skip or other music devices may
`otherwise be too bulky. There are a number of flash memory(cid:173)
`based players being offered from companies like iRiver, Rio,
`Creative and Sony and Apple.
`[0006] Even though digital audio players (DAPs) have got(cid:173)
`ten smaller with time, the current state of the art digital audio
`player may be relatively large and, for example, must be
`strapped to your body, such as on the arm or waist while
`exercising. Furthermore, in most cases a cable may be
`required to deliver the sound to the ear. All this can be cum(cid:173)
`bersome and may interfere with a running and/or gym work(cid:173)
`out routine. In addition, wireless players are available which
`require a separate player with a transceiver. However, trans(cid:173)
`mission of streaming audio remains energy intensive for such
`transceiver based wireless technology, thereby leading to bat(cid:173)
`tery size requirements and corresponding weight issues mak(cid:173)
`ing an in ear or on ear device, based upon such approach,
`
`inconvenient and one that is not optimized for users desiring
`the ability to exercise and remain relatively mobile.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`[0007]
`In a first exemplary embodiment, the present disclo(cid:173)
`sure relates to a device for audio playback, comprising at least
`two earpieces wherein each of the earpieces include memory
`configured to store audio content and/or data thereon. The
`earpieces include a timing device and are configured to asyn(cid:173)
`chronously provide audio playback of audio data stored in the
`memory upon or after synchronization and at a rate deter(cid:173)
`mined by the timing device to provide an acceptably matched
`audio content.
`[0008]
`In a second exemplary embodiment, the present dis(cid:173)
`closure relates to a method of playing audio playback to a user
`by providing at least two earpieces wherein each of the ear(cid:173)
`pieces include memory to store audio content and/or data
`thereon. Each earpiece includes a timing device where the
`two earpieces are configured to asynchronously provide
`audio playback of audio data stored in the memory upon or
`after synchronization and at a rate determined by the timing
`device to provide an acceptably matched audio content.
`[0009]
`In a third exemplary embodiment, the present dis(cid:173)
`closure relates to an article comprising a storage medium
`having stored thereon instructions that when executed by a
`machine result in the following operations: providing play(cid:173)
`back of audio information on at least two earpieces wherein
`each of the earpieces include memory configured to store
`audio content and/or data thereon and a timing device. The
`two earpieces are configured to asynchronously provide
`audio playback of said audio data stored in said memory upon
`or after synchronization and at a rate determined by said
`timing device to provide an acceptably matched audio con(cid:173)
`tent.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`
`[0010] The above-mentioned and other features and advan(cid:173)
`tages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will
`become more apparent and the invention will be better under(cid:173)
`stood by reference to the following description of embodi(cid:173)
`ments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accom(cid:173)
`panying drawings, wherein:
`[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an
`in-ear wireless digital audio player;
`[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary schematic of the
`contents of an earpiece;
`[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic of synchronization
`between the earpieces of an in-ear wireless digital audio
`player;
`[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a flow diagram for a
`synchronization schedule; and
`[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a
`base station for an in-ear wireless digital audio player.
`[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary timing identifying
`one protocol for skipping a portion of audio data as may be
`desired by a user.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0017] The present invention relates to providing an in-ear
`wireless digital audio player. The in-ear/on-ear wireless digi(cid:173)
`tal audio player may include two earpieces each having a
`synchronizable digital audio player that fit and anchor to or
`within a user's ears, which, together, play stereo music. It
`
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`2
`
`should be appreciated that while the specification herein
`refers to the use of two or a pair of players, more than two
`players may be utilized. The audio players are capable of
`playing in unison or simultaneously, or in a marmer (as
`explained more fully below) where the playback of audio
`content (e.g. stereo) between two or more earpieces is suffi(cid:173)
`ciently matched to provide an acceptable playback experi(cid:173)
`ence. The units may therefore each contain an independent
`timing mechanism. When the units are brought back together
`( e.g. into electrical contact) and/or configured to respond to a
`given command, the internal timing device may be synchro(cid:173)
`nized.
`[0018] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a digital audio player and
`speaker may be integrated into a single earpiece housing 10
`and 12. A separate digital audio player may not be necessary
`to drive the speakers and, therefore, cords for connecting the
`earpieces to a separate digital audio player may not be nec(cid:173)
`essary. Furthermore, the in-ear wireless digital audio player
`may include two players or earpieces 10 and 12 which may be
`independent of each other but may play a list of songs or other
`audio content together, asynchronously, each delivering
`respective right and left charmels. The ear pieces may also be
`relatively low power, having a total operating power of2 W or
`less, but preferably, less than 60 mW. In addition, the earpiece
`may include relatively low power transceivers, for sending
`and receiving a relatively low power synchronization and/or
`control signal. Such relatively low power transceivers may be
`as much as 100 mW or more but may operate only briefly
`when synchronization or control signals are being sent or
`received, communicating with the other transceiver on a pre(cid:173)
`determined schedule that results in a lower overall duty cycle
`and reduce power consumption.
`[0019] The earpieces may be retained by a user's ears. For
`example, the earpiece may be held or retained in the user's ear
`by the tragus or a projection of skin or cartilage in front of the
`meatus of the external ear and/or held against the concha. In
`addition, the earpiece may be retained such that the speaker or
`electromechanical transducer is in communication with the
`ear canal to provide auditory stimulation to the ear. The
`device may also anchor to the ear by going around/behind the
`ear and containing an acoustic transducer that sits near or in
`the ear canal.
`[0020] As illustrated in FIG. 2, each digital audio player
`earpiece 20 may include an electro-mechanical transducer,
`such as a speaker, 22, memory, such as flash memory, 24, a
`timing device 26, an audio processor 28, a controller 27 and
`an energy storage device, such as a battery 29. The flash
`memory may include audio content (e.g. music) and audio
`data ( e.g., information about the music, such as song length,
`composer, etc.). A timing device may include a timing refer(cid:173)
`ence, such as an oscillator, and a resettable counter, either of
`which may be adjusted to accommodate differences between
`said timing device and other timing devices. The audio pro(cid:173)
`cessor may be in electrical communication with the memory
`device and receive audio data from the memory device for
`audio playback. The processor and thus audio playback may
`be governed by the timing device also provided in communi(cid:173)
`cation with the audio processor. In addition, the energy stor(cid:173)
`age device may provide power to drive the player electronics
`which may include the audio processor, the electro-mechani(cid:173)
`cal transducer and the timing device.
`[0021]
`In a first example, and to synchronize the earpieces/
`audio players, the players 30 and 32 may communicate 34
`with one another as illustrated in FIG. 3. Although this may be
`
`accomplished through IR or wireless communication, such as
`relatively low power radio frequency, between the players 30
`and 32, the players 30 and 32 may be physically and electri(cid:173)
`cally connected together directly or indirectly through an
`intermediate device. The physical connection may be pro(cid:173)
`moted by the use of magnets or mechanical connections. That
`is, the opposing surface of the players 30A and 32A may be
`magnetized such that they may join together and/or be in
`electrical communication when not in use.
`[0022] The players may also be connected using a cable
`with a connector for each player, a base station in which the
`earpieces may communicate or by touching two players
`together. Once separated, the timing devices within the play(cid:173)
`ers may begin counting and playing the audio data. The time
`at which the audio data begins playback may be referred to as
`a start time. The start time may be immediate or delayed by a
`set amount of time or number of counts after removal from the
`base station or being disconnected from each other or a com(cid:173)
`munication cable.
`[0023]
`In the former scenario, when disconnected from a
`base station or each other, the earpieces may begin to play
`audio data in a way that appears synchronized to a user, but
`may be asynchronous or independent from an electronics
`standpoint. That is, each player may operate independently or
`asynchronously of one another, while counting at a given rate
`from a common starting point, such as when the earpieces are
`separated from either the base station or each other discon(cid:173)
`nected from another device. Thus, independent or asynchro(cid:173)
`nous playback may be understood as playback provided by
`each earpiece, wherein the earpieces do not communicate
`audio data or exchange audio content between the earpieces,
`base station or other auxiliary device, but rather source the
`audio data from the memory and processors, etc. contained
`within the individual earpieces. While playing, the asynchro(cid:173)
`nous playback may therefore occur at a rate determined by the
`timing devices to provide, as discussed below, an acceptable
`level of matched audio content.
`[0024] The players may continuously independently play
`songs, or other stored audio content, in the order determined
`when connected together or to a base station and/or an exter(cid:173)
`nal device and may continue to play in that order until such
`time that they are turned off or again electrically connected
`together. Each player may play, for example, one channel
`depending on what ear it is in, i.e., the player inserted in the
`right ear may deliver the right channel and the player inserted
`in the left ear may deliver the left charmel. Alternatively, the
`players may play in mono mode, where the right and left
`channels share the same content, or where only one player is
`desired during playback, as noted above.
`[0025] Although the left and right channels, i.e., each ear(cid:173)
`piece, may appear to remain synchronized together, and
`acceptably matched, some level oflag or mismatch between
`the two may exist or develop while in use, but may not be
`detectable from a listener's or user's standpoint. As might be
`appreciated, the individual timing devices may exhibit
`slightly different timing rates, wherein a time count for one
`player is slightly longer or shorter than a time count for
`another associated player. The controllers in each player may
`periodically compare the clock speed ( or resonance of each
`crystal contained therein, for example) when the units are
`connected or otherwise synchronized and software adjust(cid:173)
`ments may be made to keep the players playing in relative
`"unison" when apart and playing independently.
`
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`3
`
`[0026] For example, a small degree oflag time (mismatch)
`may be present as between the timing devices in each earpiece
`wherein the lag time may accumulate through the passage of
`time. Lag time amounts of plus or minus 15 milliseconds
`(ms), meaning that one earpiece is ahead or behind the other,
`or less, including all increments and values in the range of 0
`ms to 15 ms, may be present between the individual earpieces
`over the course of playback. Lag time between plus or minus
`15 ms to plus or minus 50 ms may be acceptable or unaccept(cid:173)
`able, depending on the listener or content. However, lag time
`of greater than plus or minus 50 ms or more may not be
`acceptable to most users. Accordingly, acceptable matched
`audio content herein may be understood as less than or equal
`to plus or minus 50 ms between the two timing devices.
`Furthermore, as lag time between the players may increase
`due to their asynchronous operation, the listener may sense
`such lag time and decide to remove the earpieces and contact
`the earpieces together so that the earpieces may synchronize
`together again. Or, as noted herein, synchronization may be
`accomplished by having the units respond to a given wireless
`command, where the communication of said command
`expends a relatively small amount of energy ( e.g. less than or
`equal 100 micro Joules).
`[0027] Synchronization, in this context, may be understood
`as the process of adjusting a timing device based upon infor(cid:173)
`mation from one or more other timing devices to provide an
`acceptably matched audio content. FIG. 4 illustrates an
`example of how synchronization may occur. For example,
`upon separating the earpieces either from each other or from
`a base station 410, the circuitry or electronic components in
`the earpieces may begin counting time 420 at a rate based
`upon information received from the timing devices. After a
`given time count, or upon removal from the base station 430,
`or upon separating the earpieces the audio playback may
`begin. After a given amount of time, the earpieces may be
`synchronized by, for example, bringing the earpieces back
`into contact 440 or by other synchronization methods
`described below. To synchronize, the elapsed clock counts
`may be compared and/or the clock counts over a given time
`period may be compared 450. The differences between the
`clock counts of each timing device may then be determined
`460 and the audio playback may then be adjusted 470 accord(cid:173)
`ing to the determined differences in clock speed. The ear(cid:173)
`pieces may then be separated again 480 and audio playback
`may end 490 upon completion of playback or returning the
`earpieces into the base station.
`[0028]
`It may be appreciated that synchronization may
`occur during playback (when the devices are brought back in
`communication with one another), or synchronization may
`occur prior to playback while the earpieces are connected
`directly or indirectly together through a base station. For
`example, synchronization may occur when the earpieces are
`placed into the base station, or when the base station is in
`communication with an external device ( described below). At
`any given time, the clock speeds of the timing devices may be
`determined and compared to adjust audio playback.
`[0029] For downloading songs the players may be con(cid:173)
`nected to external devices such as computers, other digital
`audio players, personal digital assistants (PDAs) or any other
`digital storage device. Once connected, songs may be down(cid:173)
`loaded to both players. From these external devices, other
`control may also be applied such as volume preset, shuffle
`mode, tempo, and start time (i.e., the amount of delay desired
`before the units begin playing).
`
`[0030] An additional component to the in-ear wireless digi(cid:173)
`tal audio player system is a base station, as illustrated in FIG.
`5. The base station 50 may hold and protect the players 52 and
`53 while not in use. The players 52 and 53 may electrically
`contact the base station via electrical contacts within the base
`station 54 and on the earpieces (not illustrated) allowing the
`base station to be a conduit (wired or wireless) to the external
`devices mentioned above. The base station may also employ
`other means to download data, including wireless, IR, etc.
`Accordingly, the base station may include a communication
`interface 56 between the base station and an external device.
`However, it should be appreciated that the players may be
`enabled to communicate directly with the external devices
`mentioned above, as well. The base station may also include
`a slot for inserting memory cards for direct download to the
`players.
`[0031] The base station may also charge the battery in the
`individual players. For this, external power supplies may be
`connected to the base station. The base station itself may also
`carry a battery inside for an alternative charging method to the
`players and powering of the base station electronics. The base
`station battery may be capable of charging the players several
`times with its own batteries or power source. Charging of the
`players from the base station battery(s) may be an added
`convenience if external power sources are not readily avail(cid:173)
`able. The base station itself may also be powered through
`traditional house power, i.e., a wall outlet, or through a USB
`or other cable that connects to a host device.
`[0032] The base station may also include provisions for
`configuring the players. Setting the start time of the players,
`and triggering their counting protocols, for example, may be
`achieved via the base station. In addition, setting volume or
`other user preferences may be done there as well.
`[0033]
`In another example, where the base station may act
`as an intermediate device, which may in turn be connected to
`another host device ( e.g., a laptop), the external host device
`may be utilized to configure the players. The external device
`may provide an interface for setting the start time of the
`players, triggering counting protocols, pre-setting or adjust(cid:173)
`ing volume controls, etc. Finally, a simple electrical cable
`may be used to connect the two players to each other and to
`another host device.
`[0034]
`In another embodiment, a base station may be simi(cid:173)
`lar to an alarm clock, but with an interface for programming
`the players when it is docked. A user can set a wakeup time
`and music or other audio content to be played, and then
`remove the players from the base station and place it in his or
`her ear. The players may then begin an internal clock such that
`it begins playing music at the right time to wake a user without
`waking someone else in the bed. The alarm clock base station
`may have a his and her earpiece (player) or include more than
`one pair of earpieces, as necessary.
`[0035] Controlling the players while in the ear may be
`facilitated by switches or sensors located on the exterior face
`of the individual players. One option for control is a single
`switch that extends to the entire exterior face of a player. In
`another embodiment, a capacitance sensor may be provided.
`Tapping of the exterior face of player once or a sequence of
`taps can represent different functions. For example, one tap
`may increment the volume. Another single tap may induce a
`second volume up while a third tap may lower the volume
`back down to its original position. A double tap may induce a
`different command such as mute. It may be appreciated that
`any number of command/tap sequences may be provided,
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`
`4
`
`wherein rather than for example using one tap for increment(cid:173)
`ing volume, placing the finger over the switch and/or sensor
`for an elongated period of time may increase the volume.
`Alternatively discrete switches may be applied to the exterior
`face for each function. Another possibility is to use the current
`generated in the speaker coil as a result of the perturbation
`created by a user tapping the player. Effectively, the speaker
`may become a user switch/sensor.
`[0036] Skipping a portion of the audio data, in a given play
`list may be accomplished with the otherwise independent
`earpieces, while maintaining synchronization. For example,
`as illustrated in the timing diagram of FIG. 6, within a pre(cid:173)
`determined time period T p, each earpiece (E 1 and E2 ) will
`allow for input to advance the audio a given amount. For
`example, each earpiece will allow, within a multiple of pre(cid:173)
`selected time periods (for example multiple 10 second peri(cid:173)
`ods), an instruction to move forward in the audio file a
`selected amount. Accordingly, as the user enters the instruc(cid:173)
`tion (Ie 1) in one earpiece to move forward in the audio play(cid:173)
`back to a next song, the earpiece waits until the end of the
`given time period ( e.g., 10 seconds) to implement this instruc(cid:173)
`tion. The user then would naturally enter the same instruction
`to the second earpiece (Ie2), and do so within the available
`selected window (again, e.g. a 10 second window). Accord(cid:173)
`ingly, when the units reach the end of the exemplary 10
`second window, the units move forward (Skip) to the next
`song or by a given segment of time as instructed, and do so in
`a synchronized manner. Of course, if the user enters a com(cid:173)
`mand to move forward to the next song in the audio playback
`in a first earpiece, and then fails to instruct the second earpiece
`to move forward within the selected window (again, e.g. 10
`seconds), the units may then become unsynchronized. How(cid:173)
`ever, the user will immediately recognize this issue, and will
`need to synchronize the earpieces by connecting them
`together or by the other mechanisms described herein.
`[ 003 7]
`In another embodiment, another approach may be to
`give the user a limited amount of time at the start of each audio
`file or song to press the skip button. If a player receives the
`command within that time then the player may wait until the
`end of the time limit and then skip forward the length of the
`song minus the increment of time allowed for skipping at the
`beginning of the song. For example, at the beginning of a
`song, a user may have ten seconds to hit the skip button. One
`player may receive the skip command 2 seconds after the
`song starts and the other 4 seconds after the song starts. Each
`player may then wait for the given amount of time in the song
`or audio playback, for example, 10 seconds to elapse. Since
`the players received the skip command with in the first ten
`seconds then it skips forward the length of the song minus 10
`seconds. Since both players know the length of the song then
`both player may move forward in time the same exact amount
`of time keeping them in sync. The drawback may come when
`only one player receives the skip command within the time
`limit. The players may become out of sync and may need to be
`removed and synchronized again.
`[0038] With the additional component of a microphone,
`voice control may be achieved for the players. Referring back
`to FIG. 2, the microphone 210 may be provided in commu(cid:173)
`nication with the audio processor. Simple commands such as
`"louder," "softer," "skip" and "mute", may be achieved with(cid:173)
`out attempting to find a switch on the players. Because people
`don't want to listen to music in situations where they might be
`at risk (for example, when jogging or riding in a high traffic
`area), having a mute function may be relatively important.
`
`However, as long as the earpiece is in the ear, ambient sound
`may be muffled. In one embodiment, the same microphone
`that picks up voice commands may temporarily pipe through
`ambient noise to the user while in "mute mode" so that the
`user may properly assess a traffic situation or other situations.
`Upon releasing the mute command to play music again, the
`songs remain together, as their clocks continued to keep time
`during the mute session.
`[0039]
`In another example, the microphone may be utilized
`to detect "inaudible" audio signals provided by one earpiece
`to another earpiece. The "inaudible" audio signals may be, for
`example, extremely high pitched signals provided at a fre(cid:173)
`quency outside of the range detectable by the human ear. A
`user may adjust a control in one earpiece and such adjustment
`may then be communicated to the other earpiece by providing
`the inaudible audio signal through the electro-mechanical
`acoustical device.
`[0040] A similar voice activated scenario may also be con(cid:173)
`templated for a more traditional wired headset. In one
`embodiment, a left and right wired earpiece speaker would
`come together into a small module that may contain a small
`microphone and some processing capability. This unit could
`also be configured to be a separate dongle connected to an
`MP3 interface connector, for example an IPOD. Upon enter(cid:173)
`ing "mute mode," the microphone may pump ambient audio
`into the speakers and then resume music after the mute mode
`is over. The module may also interpret other commands.
`Power may be drawn from a small (potentially rechargeable)
`battery or from a host device, like an MP3 player. In the case
`of a wired speaker and an MP3 or other player, user com(cid:173)
`mands to the voice control module could also select songs or
`play lists without having to fiddle with the host MP3 unit.
`[0041]
`In addition, while maintaining independence during
`audio playback, the earpieces may be provided with a rela(cid:173)
`tively low power and/or low duty transceiver 212. The trans(cid:173)
`ceiver 212 may allow for signals to be sent and received by the
`earpieces for periodic synchronization and relay of control
`functions, e.g., mute, volume, etc. Accordingly, a user may
`activate a control switch or sensor in one earpiece, which may
`then provide the other earpiece with a correlating command.
`In addition, synchronization commands may be provided via
`the transceivers, wherein one earpiece sends signals to pro(cid:173)
`vide information, such as clock speed, to allow for the audio
`processors to adjust the audio data playback.
`[0042]
`In a further embodiment, independent control mod(cid:173)
`ules may be utilized to provide control or synchronization
`functions to the earpieces. For example, a watch or wristlet,
`pendant, arm band or other device may include controls, i.e.,
`switches or sensors for receiving commands from a user. The
`commands may be sent to the individual earpieces via trans(cid:173)
`ceivers within the earpieces, which may then receive the
`control information. The independent control module may
`also provide a synchronization signal to the earpieces,
`wherein the earpieces may provide feedback to the indepen(cid:173)
`dent control module as to, for example clock speeds. The
`independent control module may, in turn, provide informa(cid:173)
`tion regarding synchronization back to the earpieces.
`[0043] The independent control module may also include
`other functionality. The functionality may include biometri