as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication 10) Pub. No.: US 2007/0037615 Al
`
` Glezerman (43) Pub. Date: Feb. 15, 2007
`
`
`US 20070037615A1
`
`(54) WIRELESS COMMUNICATION HEADSET
`WITH RF MODULE FOR ACCESSORY
`SPEAKER AND SYSTEM UTILIZING SAME
`
`(52) US. C0.
`
`cecssssssssssssesnesesnetesnsssevetnevesn 455/575.2
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Abraham Glezerman, Tel-Aviv (IL)
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A wireless communication headset for use with an electronic
`
`device comprises a first headset housing a first speaker, a
`first module providing communication overa first protocol
`with the electronic device, and a circuit connecting the first
`speaker so as to receive signals from the first module. A
`second module is provided which is electrically connected
`through the circuit to the first module, the second module
`including a transmitter providing one-way communication
`over a second protocol which is non-compliant with the first
`protocol. A second headset which is independentofthefirst
`headset includes a second speaker and a receiver compliant
`with the second protocol, the receiver providing signals to
`the second speaker.
`
`300
`
`Correspondence Address:
`DARBY & DARBY P.C.
`P. O. BOX 5257
`NEW YORK, NY 10150-5257 (US)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: Cardo Systems, Inc.
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/202,762
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Aug. 12, 2005
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04M 1/00
`
`(2006.01)
`
` (51)
`
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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 15, 2007
`
`US 2007/0037615 Al
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`FIGURE 1
`
`“A — =a AS
`
`Loe
`
`wa —
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`US 2007/0037615 Al
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`Feb. 15, 2007
`
`WIRELESS COMMUNICATION HEADSET WITH
`RF MODULE FOR ACCESSORY SPEAKER AND
`SYSTEM UTILIZING SAME
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The present invention relates generally to wireless
`communication systems that transmit and receive electronic
`signals wirelessly, and more particularly to headsets for
`reproducing monoandstereo sound.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] Modem communication networks that may involve
`several movable components or devices are often plagued by
`an overabundanceof cables to provide the connections. One
`solution to this problem is a wireless network communica-
`tion protocol called Bluetooth, named after Danish King
`Harald Bluetooth, who is known for unifying Denmark and
`Norway in the 10 century. The system was developed
`through the cooperative efforts of several computer and
`telecommunications manufacturers
`including Ericsson,
`IBM,Intel, Nokia and Toshiba. The Bluetooth technology is
`a telecommunication protocol which dispenses with cables
`and has at its core devices of low cost and low power
`consumption. Portable devices can be made Bluetooth com-
`pliant through the installation of an appropriate chip.
`
`[0003] The benefits of using Bluetooth communication
`among network devices are numerous. Data can be freely
`transmitted by direct radio communication between devices
`at high speeds with low power consumption. Since no
`remote base station is required to accomplish communica-
`tion between devices, system operation does not incur any
`standby tire, as when base station communication loads
`become excessive. Further, the task of connecting various
`computer and communication devices is greatly simplified
`when one can dispense with cables and allow Bluetooth
`technology to create an ad hoc network.
`
`[0004] The principles of Bluetooth device operation and
`communication protocols are described in Specification of
`the Bluetooth System, Volumes 1 and 2. Bluetooth is char-
`acterized by several features. Devices using this protocol
`communicate over the 2.4 GHz Industrial, Scientific and
`Medical band at a peak air link speed of one Mbps with
`power consumption low enough for use in personal, portable
`electronics such as PDAsandcellular phones. The wireless
`personal area networks thus formed utilize low cost, low
`power wireless devices that have a typical range of ten
`meters. Bluetooth compliant devices are designed to seek
`other Bluetooth devices within their ten meter radio com-
`munications range and determine what services they offer.
`Two such devices can establish a connection after an inquir-
`ing device sends out an inquiry message searching for other
`devices in its vicinity. The inquiry message will be recog-
`nized by another Bluetooth device that
`is listening by
`conducting an inquiry scan, and said device will respond.
`
`[0005] The establishment of a connection causes the
`inquiring device to become the master and the responding
`device to become the slave in the resulting piconet. The
`inquiring device establishes a connection by entering the
`page state and sending a paging message, using information
`received in the inquiry response packet, to the responding
`device. The inquiring/paging device temporarily synchro-
`nizes with the responding device using the responding
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`device’s access code and an estimate of the responding
`device’s clock. The paging message sent by the inquiring/
`paging device is a frequency hop synchronization (FHS)
`packet which contains an assigned active member address
`(AM_ADDR) and all other information required by the
`responding device to reply directly to the inquiring/paging
`device,
`including the inquiring/paging device’s correct
`device access code and clock value. In order to receive the
`paging packet and connect with the inquiring/paging device,
`the responding device must be in the page scanstate to allow
`the inquiring/paging device to connect with it. A page
`acknowledgmentpacket will then be sent by the responding
`device, enabling the two devices to form a connection and
`transition into the connection state. A new ad hoc network
`
`piconetis thus formed, with the inquiring/paging device that
`initiated the connection assuming the role of master device
`and the responding device assumingtherole of slave device,
`using the clock timing and access code of the master device.
`
`[0006] Each piconet formed in this manner has a single
`master device and as many as seven active slave devices.
`Communication in the network is initiated by the master
`device and occurs only between the master device and each
`slave device. Two slave devices cannot communicate
`
`directly with each other. They must communicate through
`the master device.
`
`[0007] Single-ear headsets that communicate via the Blue-
`tooth protocol with cellular phones are represented in the
`prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 6,892,082 issued to Boesen discloses
`an embodiment wherein a handheld personal electronic
`device is connected wirelessly to a single earpiece headset
`which includes a speaker and microphone. U.S. Design Pat.
`No. 494,568 issued to Pan illustrates one possible realization
`of a single Bluetooth headset.
`
`particularly those
`systems,
`[0008] Wireless headset
`intended for use with stereophonic sound systems, are well
`known. Early wireless headsets were most commonly used
`by music enthusiasts who preferred the freedom and ease
`offered by not being tethered to a receiver by a cable. The
`communication protocol for these early headsets was stan-
`dard RF communication. U.S. Pat. No. 6,658,267 issued to
`Baranowski, et al., discloses a wireless headset which incor-
`porates a microphonefor transducing speech of a user as an
`outgoing audio signal, a broadband AM/FM radio signal
`receiver, an FM demodulator, a wireless telephone trans-
`ceiver, as well as a stereo decoder for decoding commercial
`stereo radio signals transmitted by a phone unit. U.S. Pat.
`No. 6,466,677 issued to Bush discloses a wireless digital
`audio headphone which incorporates a memory slot and
`processor for retrieving digitally stored audio information
`form a memory card. Infrared headsets are known intheart
`as well, such as the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
`6,421,426 issued to Lucey, which provides a line of sight
`transmission, infrared wireless headset for use with a tele-
`phone system.
`
`[0009] There is a need in the art for stereo-capable or
`dual-mono reproduction of sound in wireless headsets and
`the present invention addresses this and other needs.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, a
`wireless communication headset for use with an electronic
`
`device comprises a first headset housing a first speaker, a
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`first module providing communication overa first protocol
`with the electronic device, and a circuit connecting the first
`speaker so as to receive signals from the first module. A
`second module, electrically connected through the circuit to
`the first module, includes a transmitter providing at least
`one-way communication over a second protocol which is
`non-compliant with the first protocol. A second headset,
`independentofthe first headset, includes a second speaker
`and a receiver compliant with the second protocol,
`the
`receiver providing signals to the second speaker.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wireless commu-
`[0011]
`nication headset system including independent first and
`second headset units in accordance with a preferred embodi-
`ment.
`
`[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view of the second headset unit of
`FIG.1.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`[0013] By way of overview and introduction, the present
`invention provides a user with a multi-piece headset whose
`connections are entirely wireless, from signal source to final
`receiving component. As compared to knownwireless head-
`sets,
`the multi-piece headset of the present
`invention
`includes an accessory headset that provides a second speaker
`for completing delivery of stereo or dual-mono soundto the
`user. As an improvementoverthe art, the accessory headset
`communicates wirelessly with the primary headset using a
`different protocol
`than the primary headset utilizes for
`communication with an electronic device such as a phone,
`radio or music player.
`
`[0014] FIG. 1 is a system diagram of one embodiment of
`the invention, showing schematically how the various com-
`ponents communicate and are oriented with respect to one
`another and with respect to the user’s head.
`
`[0015] An electronic device 100 such as a cellular phone
`or MP3 music player sources signals which are transmitted
`(and optionally received) over a first protocol. Preferably,
`the first protocol
`is the Bluetooth Standard, a mode of
`establishing wireless personal area networks which operates
`in the 2.4 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (SM)
`band. A Bluetooth personal area network or piconet
`is
`comprised of a single master device, which controls all
`network functions including when devices can communi-
`cate, and up to seven slave devices.
`
`[0016] The electronic device 100 can includecircuitry 110
`to enable communication on overfirst protocol (e.g., chips
`that support Bluetooth communication), or such circuitry
`can be disposed external of the device (circuitry 110") and be
`connected to the device through an interface 120.
`
`[0017] All communication within the personal area net-
`work using the first protocol is through the circuitry 110,
`110' of the “master” device, such as the phone or MP3
`player. Slave devices communicate over the first protocol
`with the master, but cannot communicate with one another
`directly. In the illustrated embodiment, there is one slave
`device, namelya first headset 200, which communicates via
`the first protocol.
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`Thefirst headset 200 includes several components
`[0018]
`that are commercially available, including a speaker 220 and
`a communication module 230 which is compliant with the
`first protocol. The speaker and the communication module
`are connected by a circuit 250 which can be of arbitrary
`complexity and include digital-to-analog converters, fre-
`quencyfilters, amplifiers, and other conventionalcircuitry in
`order to permit the speaker 220 to receive signals that are
`suitable for reproduction. Alternatively, the circuit can com-
`prise a conductive wire connecting the communication mod-
`ule and the speaker together. Optionally, the headset 200
`includes a microphone 210 to enable use of the headset with
`two-way communication devices
`such as phones and
`walkie-talkies.
`
`[0019] The headset 200 includes a second module 240
`whichis electrically connected through the circuit 250 to the
`first module 230. The circuit 250 can provide signal con-
`version, filtration and amplification, as described above, and
`other decoding (e.g., to decode a stereo signal) upon signals
`that are communicated to the headset 200 from the elec-
`tronic device. The second module 240 is constructed so as to
`enable communication of signals that have been coupled
`through the circuit 250 to a second headset 300. In other
`words, the second module 240 includes a transmitter circuit
`that radiates in a wireless mannersignals received through
`the circuit 250 exteriorly of the first headset. This is a
`departure from conventional devices that have relied upon
`the Bluetooth Standard alone because the headset in that
`arrangement is a slave able to communicate only with its
`master (the electronic device 100).
`[0020]
`In accordance with a salient aspect of the inven-
`tion, the second module 240 transmits signals over a second
`communication protocol which differs from (that is, which
`is non-compliant with) the first protocol. In the preferred
`embodiment,
`the second protocol
`is a low-power radio-
`frequency (“RF”) transmission, such that signals are com-
`municated from the electronic device using the Bluetooth
`Standard to the first headset 200 and communicated from the
`first headset 200 to the second headset 300 using low-power
`RF transmission.
`
`[0021] A second headset 300 includes a receiver 310
`which receives signals communicated from the first headset
`200. Preferably, the receiver is an RF receiver tuned to a
`center frequency at which the second module 240 transmits.
`The receiver outputs the received signals so as to drive a
`speaker 320 and permit sound reproduction from the second
`headset 300.
`
`In use, a user having an electronic device 100
`[0022]
`equipped with circuitry 110 suitable for communicating over
`the first protocol need only place the first headset 200 about
`his or her hear. The headset 200 optionally includes controls
`such as controls that permit the user to answera call, mute
`the microphone (if provided), mute the speaker. If the
`electronic device 100 lacks circuitry 110, then an outboard
`circuit 110' can be connected through the interface 120.
`[0023] The user receives signals from the electronic
`device 100 via circuit 110, 110' over the first protocol. These
`received signals are coupled to the speaker and, optionally,
`signals emanating with the user (or his or her environment)
`that have been coupled by the microphone 210 can be
`communicated back to the electronic device 100.
`
`In this manner, the user is in wireless communica-
`[0024]
`tion with the electronic device, and has sound available at
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`US 2007/0037615 Al
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`Feb. 15, 2007
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`one ear. At the sametime, in accordancewith the invention,
`signals are conveyed using a second protocol from thefirst
`headset to the second headset for play through the speaker
`310. These signals can be the same as provided to speaker
`220 (for dual-monaural reproduction) or can be another
`signal (e.g., in support of stereo playback).
`
`[0025] While the invention has been described in connec-
`tion with a certain embodimentthereof, the invention is not
`limited to the described embodiments but rather is more
`
`broadly defined by the recitations in the claims below and
`equivalents thereof.
`Whatis claimedis:
`1. A wireless communication headset for use with an
`
`electronic device, comprising:
`
`a first headset housing a first speaker, a first module
`providing communication overa first protocol with the
`electronic device, and a circuit connecting the first
`speaker so as to receive signals from the first module;
`
`a second moduleelectrically connected through thecircuit
`to the first module,
`the second module including a
`
`transmitter providing one-way communication over a
`second protocol which is non-compliant with the first
`protocol; and
`
`a second headset independent of the first headset and
`including a second speaker and a receiver compliant
`with the secondprotocol, the receiver providing signals
`to the second speaker.
`2. The system of claim 1, wherein thefirst headset further
`houses a microphone for transducing sounds into audio
`signals.
`3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first module
`provides two-way communication between the first headset
`and the electronic device.
`
`4. The system of claim 2, wherein the second headset
`lacks a microphone.
`5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first protocol is
`Bluetooth compliant.
`6. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter has an
`output suitable for local transmission to the second headset.
`
`*
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`*
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`*
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`*
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`*
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