(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2006/0111044 A1
`
`
` Keller (43) Pub. Date: May 25, 2006
`
`US 20060111044A1
`
`(54) STEREO SIGNAL COMMUNICATION USING
`BLUETOOTH TRANSCEIVERS IN
`EARPIECES
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Mark A. Keller, Pomona, CA (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`PHILIPS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY &
`STANDARDS
`PO. BOX 3001
`
`BRIARCLIFF MANOR, NY 10510 (US)
`
`.
`(21) Appl. No”
`(22) PCT Filed:
`
`105361644
`Nov. 26, 2003
`
`(86) PCT No.:
`
`PCT/IB03/05492
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/430,916, filed on Dec.
`4, 2002.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int- Cl-
`(2006.01)
`H04B 7/00
`(200601)
`H04M 1/00
`(52) US. Cl.
`........................................ 455/412; 455/5752
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A system and method for signal communication. First and
`second audio signals are wirelessly transmitted a Bluetooth
`transceiver T over a first channel and a second channel to
`
`Bluetooth transceivers T1 and T2, respectively, in accor-
`dance with prevailing Bluetooth standards. The transceivers
`T1 and T2 are respectively comprised by first and second
`earpieces each fitted within or behind a first ear and a second
`ear of a person in a manner that is sufiicient for the person
`to hear the first and second audio signals. The combination
`of the first and second audio signals constitutes a stereo
`signal. The first and second earpieces are not mechanically
`connected to each other by a headset or by any mechanical
`device that is adapted to fit on the head of the person.
`
`10
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`PERSON
`1_8
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`SOURCE
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`APPLE 1068
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`APPLE 1068
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`Patent Application Publication May 25, 2006 Sheet 1 of 5
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`Patent Application Publication May 25, 2006 Sheet 2 of 5
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`FIG.2
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`Patent Application Publication May 25, 2006 Sheet 3 of 5
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`FIG.3
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`Patent Application Publication May 25, 2006 Sheet 4 of 5
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`Patent Application Publication May 25, 2006 Sheet 5 of 5
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`US 2006/0111044 A1
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`May 25, 2006
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`STEREO SIGNAL COMMUNICATION USING
`BLUETOOTH TRANSCEIVERS IN EARPIECES
`
`[0001] The present invention relates generally to a system
`and method for signal communication and more particularly
`to a system and method for signal communication in which
`a person receives a stereo signal using earpieces not
`mechanically connected to each other. Radio frequency
`transmissions from a consumer electronics device to a
`
`portable receiving device (e.g., a headset) to receive such
`transmissions are impractical, since such transmissions con-
`sume high power which necessitates that a battery powering
`the portable receiving device would have to be changed too
`frequently. Thus there is a need for a low-power system and
`method of signal communication from a consumer electron-
`ics device to a portable receiving device.
`
`[0002] The present invention provides a system for signal
`communication, comprising:
`
`a first earpiece comprising a first Bluetooth trans-
`[0003]
`ceiver T1, the transceiver Ti adapted to receive a first audio
`signal transmitted wirelessly from a Bluetooth transceiver T
`over a first channel, the first audio signal being transmitted
`by the transceiver T and received by the transceiver T1 in
`accordance with prevailing Bluetooth standards, the first
`earpiece adapted to fit within or behind a first ear of a person
`in a manner that is sufficient for the person to hear the first
`audio signal; and
`
`second earpiece comprising a second Bluetooth
`[0004]
`transceiver T2,
`the transceiver 12 adapted to receive a
`second audio signal transmitted wirelessly from the trans-
`ceiver T over a second channel, the second audio signal
`being transmitted by the transceiver T and received by the
`transceiver T2 in accordance with prevailing Bluetooth
`standards, the second earpiece adapted to fit within or behind
`a second ear of the person in a manner that is sufficient for
`the person to hear the second audio signal, the combination
`of the first audio signal and the second audio signal being a
`stereo signal, the first earpiece and the second earpiece not
`being mechanically connected to each other by a headset or
`by any mechanical device that is adapted to fit on the head
`of the person.
`
`[0005] The present invention provides a method for signal
`communication, comprising: wirelessly receiving, by a first
`Bluetooth transceiver T1, a first audio signal transmitted by
`a Bluetooth transceiver T over a first channel, the first audio
`signal being transmitted by the transceiver T and received by
`the transceiver T1 in accordance with prevailing Bluetooth
`standards,
`the transceiver T being comprised by a first
`earpiece fitted within or behind a first ear of a person in a
`manner that is sufficient for the person to hear the first audio
`signal; and
`
`[0006] wirelessly receiving, by a second Bluetooth trans-
`ceiver T2, a second audio signal transmitted by the trans-
`ceiver T over a second channel, the second audio signal
`being transmitted by the transceiver T and received by the
`transceiver T2 in accordance with prevailing Bluetooth
`standards, the Bluetooth transceiver T being comprised by a
`second earpiece fitted within or behind a second ear of the
`person in a manner that is sufficient for the person to hear the
`second audio signal, the combination of the first audio signal
`and the second audio signal being a stereo signal, the first
`earpiece and the second earpiece not being mechanically
`
`connected to each other by a headset or by any mechanical
`device that is adapted to fit on the head of the person.
`
`[0007] The present invention advantageously provides a
`low-power system and method of signal communication
`from a consumer electronics device to a portable receiving
`device, namely to left and right earpieces which are adapted
`to fit within or behind the ears of person. The earpieces have
`the advantage of not being mechanically connected to each
`other.
`
`[0008] FIG. 1 depicts a signal communication system for
`stereo signal communication between a Bluetooth trans-
`ceiver (T) inside a signal source device and first and second
`Bluetooth transceivers (T1 and T2) within or behind the first
`and second ears of a person, respectively, in accordance with
`embodiments of the present invention.
`
`[0009] FIG. 2 depicts the signal communication system of
`FIG. 1 with the Bluetooth transceiver T being located
`external to the signal source device and electrically coupled
`to the signal source device, in accordance with embodiments
`of the present invention.
`
`[0010] FIG. 3 depicts a signal communication system for
`stereo signal communication between a Bluetooth trans-
`ceiver (TS) inside a signal source device and first and second
`Bluetooth transceivers (T1 and T2) within or behind the first
`and second ears of a person, respectively, with a repeater
`Bluetooth transceiver (TR) interfacing between the trans-
`ceiver TS and the transceivers T1 and T2, in accordance with
`embodiments of the present invention.
`
`[0011] FIG. 4 depicts an earpiece fitted within the concha
`bowl of an ear of a person, in accordance with embodiments
`of the present invention.
`
`[0012] FIG. 5 depicts an earpiece fitted in the canal, but
`not wholly within the concha bowl, of an ear of a person,
`such that the earpiece is primary visible to an ordinary
`observer of the ear, in accordance with embodiments of the
`present invention.
`
`[0013] FIG. 6 depicts an earpiece fitted in the canal of an
`ear of a person, such that the earpiece is primarily not visible
`to an ordinary observer of the ear,
`in accordance with
`embodiments of the present invention.
`
`[0014] FIG. 7 depicts an earpiece fitted behind the ear of
`a person, in accordance with embodiments of the present
`invention.
`
`[0015] Bluetooth is a standard developed by a group of
`electronics manufacturers that allows various electronic
`
`devices, such as inter alia consumer electronic devices (e.g.,
`a compact disc (CD) player, a cassette tape player, a Moving
`Picture Experts Group Audio Layer 3 (MP3) player, a
`telephone cell phone, a computer, etc.) to wirelessly connect
`with other electronic devices in accordance with a pre-
`scribed communication protocol. Each Bluetooth commu-
`nicating device has a small transceiver (i.e., transmitter and
`receiver) built into the communicating device at an allow-
`able radio frequency. The signal communication systems
`disclosed in the present invention comprise Bluetooth trans-
`ceivers, namely transceivers which wirelessly communicate
`with each other in accordance with prevailing Bluetooth
`standards. Since the prevailing Bluetooth standards are may
`vary over time as wireless technology advances, the pre-
`vailing Bluetooth standards are dynamic rather than static
`
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`May 25, 2006
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`standards. The prevailing Bluetooth standards are agreed-
`upon standard which have international scope. As this patent
`disclosure is being drafted, the prevailing Bluetooth stan-
`dards may be found in the following website: http://www-
`.bluetooth.org/specifications.htm.FIG. 1 depicts a signal
`communication system 10 for stereo signal communication
`between a Bluetooth transceiver (T) and a person 18, in
`accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The
`transceiver T is electrically coupled to signal source device
`14 and disposed within the source device 14. The source
`device 14 is adapted to generate a first audio signal S1 and
`a second audio signal S2. The transceiver T may be com-
`prised by a semiconductor chip internally disposed within
`the source device 14.
`
`[0016] The first audio signal S1 and the second audio
`signal S2 constitute, in combination, a stereo signal. For
`example, the first audio signal S1 and the second audio
`signal S2 may be a first stereo component and a second
`stereo component, respectively, of a musical signal. The
`transceiver T wirelessly transmits the first audio signal S1
`over a first channel to a first Bluetooth transceiver (T1). The
`transceiver T wirelessly transmits the second audio signal S2
`over a second channel to a second Bluetooth transceiver
`
`(T2). The first audio signal S1 and the second audio signal
`S2 are transmitted by the transceiver T and received by the
`transceivers T1 and T2, respectively,
`in accordance with
`prevailing Bluetooth standards. The transceiver T transmits
`the first audio signal S1 and the second audio signal S2 each
`at low power such as, inter alia, at a power not exceeding
`about 1 milliwatt. The low power conserves battery life for
`batteries that power the transceivers T1, and T2 (and also
`transceiver T if transceiver T is battery powered). Due to
`said low power, first audio signal S1 and the second audio
`signal S2 each have a limited range such as, inter alia, 10
`meters from the transceiver T. Thus,
`the distance D1
`between the transceiver T and the transceiver T1 may be
`limited to about 10 meters or less, and the distance D2
`between the transceiver T and the transceiver T2 may be
`limited to about 10 meters or less.
`
`[0017] The source device 14 may be any device capable of
`generating the first audio signal S1 and the second audio
`signal S2 such as consumer electronics device which may
`comprise, inter alia, a compact disc (CD) player, a cassette
`tape player, or a Moving Picture Experts Group Audio Layer
`3 (MP3) player.
`
`[0018] The transceiver T1 is disposed in an earpiece 11.
`The earpiece 11 is positioned within or behind a first ear 1
`of the person 18 in a manner that is sufficient for the person
`18 to hear the first audio signal S1. The transceiver T2 is
`disposed in an earpiece 12. The earpiece 12 is positioned
`within or behind a second ear 2 of the person 18 in a manner
`that is sufficient for the person 18 to hear the second audio
`signal S2. The first ear 1 of the person 18 is either the left
`ear or the right ear of the person 18. If the first ear 1 is the
`left ear of the person 18, then the second ear 2 is the right
`ear of the person 18. If the first ear 1 is the right ear of the
`person 18, then the second ear 2 is the left ear of the person
`18. The earpiece 11 and the earpiece 12 are not mechanically
`connected to each other by a headset or by any mechanical
`device that is adapted to fit on the head 16 of the person or
`by any mechanical device generally. Various ways of posi-
`tioning the earpiece 11 and the earpiece 12 within or behind
`the ear 1 and the ear 2, respectively, in FIG. 1 is described
`
`infra in conjunction with FIGS. 4-7. In addition, the ear-
`piece 1 land the earpiece 12 are each not adapted to facilitate
`transmission of voice vibrations of the person 18 to the
`transceiver T.
`
`[0019] FIG. 2 depicts the signal communication system
`10 of FIG. 1 for stereo signal communication between the
`Bluetooth transceiver (T) and the person 18, with the Blue-
`tooth transceiver T being located external
`to the signal
`source device 14 and electrically coupled to the signal
`source device 14 by wiring such as, inter alia, through a line
`output channel 15 of the source device 14, in accordance
`with embodiments of the present invention. In all other
`respects, the structure, functionality, and features described
`supra in conjunction with FIG. 1 apply to FIG. 2.
`
`the transceiver T may be electrically
`[0020] Generally,
`coupled to the source device 14 either wirelessly or by
`wiring. If the transceiver T is electrically coupled to the
`source device 14 wirelessly, then the source device 14 would
`comprise a Bluetooth transceiver to effectuate said wireless
`electrical coupling between the source device 14 and the
`transceiver T. As example of such wireless electrical cou-
`pling is depicted in FIG. 3 in which the transceiver T is
`replaced by a transceiver TR as will be described infra.
`
`[0021] FIG. 3 depicts a signal communication system 40
`for stereo signal communication between a Bluetooth trans-
`ceiver (TS) and the person 18, in accordance with embodi-
`ments of the present invention. The transceiver TS is dis-
`posed within the signal source device 14 that is adapted to
`generate a first audio signal S1 and a second audio signal S2.
`The transceiver TS may be electrically coupled to the signal
`source device 14 by wiring. For example, the transceiver TS
`may be comprised by a semiconductor chip internally dis-
`posed within the source device 14 as shown Alternatively,
`the transceiver TS may be located external to the signal
`source device 14 and electrically coupled to the signal
`source device 14 through a line output channel of the source
`device 14 such as the line output channel 15 that electrically
`couples the transceiver T to the source device 14 in FIG. 2.
`
`In FIG. 3, the first audio signal S1 and the second
`[0022]
`audio signal S2 constitute, in combination, a stereo signal.
`For example, the first audio signal S1 and the second audio
`signal S2 may be a first stereo component and a second
`stereo component, respectively, of a musical signal. The
`transceiver T wirelessly transmits the first audio signal S1
`over a channel C1 to a Bluetooth repeater transceiver (TR),
`and the transceiver TR wirelessly transmits the first audio
`signal S1 over a channel C2 to a first Bluetooth transceiver
`(T1).
`
`[0023] The channels C1 and C2 may be the same channel
`or different channels. The transceiver T wirelessly transmits
`the second audio signal S2 over a channel C3 to the
`transceiver TR and the transceiver TR wirelessly transmits
`the second audio signal S2 over a channel C4 to a second
`Bluetooth transceiver (T2). The channels C3 and C4 may be
`the same channel or different channels.
`
`[0024] The first audio signal S1 and the second audio
`signal S2 are transmitted by the transceiver TS to the
`transceiver TR, and then by the transceiver TR to the
`transceivers T1 and 12, respectively,
`in accordance with
`prevailing Bluetooth standards. The transceivers TS and
`each transmit the first audio signal S1 and the second audio
`
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`May 25, 2006
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`signal S2 each at low power such as, inter alia, at a power
`not exceeding about 1 milliwatt. The low power conserves
`battery life for batteries that power the transceivers TR, T1,
`and T2 (and also transceiver TS if transceiver TS is battery
`powered). Due to said low power, the first audio signal S1
`and the second audio signal S2 each have a limited range
`such as, inter alia, 10 meters from the transceiver TS and to
`the transceiver TR, and from the transceiver TR to each of
`the transceivers T1 and T2. Thus, the distance D3 between
`the transceiver TS and the transceiver TR may be limited to
`about 10 meters or less. Similarly, the distance D1 between
`the transceiver TR and the transceiver T1 may be limited to
`about 10 meters or less, and the distance D2 between the
`transceiver TR and the transceiver T2 may be limited to
`about 10 meters or less.
`
`[0025] The source device 14 may be any device capable of
`generating the first audio signal S1 and the second audio
`signal S2 such as consumer electronics device which may
`comprise, inter alia, a compact disc(CD) player, a cassette
`tape player, or a Moving Picture Experts Group Audio Layer
`3 (MP3) player.
`
`[0026] The transceiver T1 is disposed in an earpiece 11.
`The earpiece T1 is positioned within or behind a first ear 1
`of the person 18 in a manner that is sufficient for the person
`18 to hear the first audio signal S1. The transceiver T2 is
`disposed in an earpiece 12. The earpiece 12 is positioned
`within or behind a second ear 2 of the person 18 in a manner
`that is sufficient for the person 18 to hear the second audio
`signal S2. The first ear 1 of the person 18 is either the left
`ear or the right ear of the person 18. If the first ear 1 is the
`left ear of the person 18, then the second ear 2 is the right
`ear of the person 18. If the first ear 1 is the right ear of the
`person 18, then the second ear 2 is the left ear of the person
`18. The earpiece 11 and the earpiece 12 are not mechanically
`connected to each other by a headset or by any mechanical
`device that is adapted to fit on the head 16 of the person or
`by any mechanical device generally. Various ways of posi-
`tioning the earpiece 11 and the earpiece 12 within or behind
`the ear 1 and the ear 2, respectively, in FIG. 3 is described
`infra in conjunction with FIGS. 4-7. In addition, the ear-
`piece 11 and the earpiece 12 are each not adapted to facilitate
`transmission of voice virations of the person 18 to the
`transceiver TR.
`
`[0027] FIGS. 4-8 depict various ways of positioning an
`earpiece within or behind an ear, as applied to positioning
`the earpiece 11 and the earpiece 12 within or behind the ear
`1 and the ear 2, respectively, in FIGS. 1-3. In FIGS. 4-7, an
`ear 20 represents the ear 1 or the ear 2 of FIGS. 1-3, and the
`earpieces 24-28 each represent the earpiece 11 or the ear-
`piece 12 of FIGS. 1-3.
`
`[0028] FIG. 4 depicts an earpiece 24 fitted within the
`concha bowl 22 of the ear 20 of the person 18 of FIGS. 1-3,
`in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
`
`[0029] FIG. 5 depicts an earpiece 25 fitted in the canal 23,
`but not wholly within the concha bowl 22, of the ear 20 of
`the person 18 of FIGS. 1-3, such that the earpiece 25 is
`primarily visible to an ordinary observer of the ear 20, in
`accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The
`earpiece 25 is defined to be “primarily visible” to an
`ordinary observer if more than 50% of the largest surface of
`the earpiece 25 is visible to the ordinary observer while the
`earpiece 25 is so positioned within the canal 23.
`
`[0030] FIG. 6 depicts an earpiece 26 fitted in the canal 23
`of the ear 20 of the person 18 of FIGS. 1-3, such that the
`earpiece 26 is primarily not visible to an ordinary observer
`of the ear 20, in accordance with embodiments of the present
`invention. The earpiece 26 is defined to be “primarily not
`visible” to an ordinary observer if no more than 50% of the
`largest surface of the earpiece 26 is visible to the ordinary
`observer while the earpiece 26 is so positioned within the
`canal 23.
`
`[0031] FIG. 7 depicts an earpiece 27 fitted behind the ear
`20 of the person 18 of FIGS. 1-3,
`in accordance with
`embodiments of the present invention. While embodiments
`of the present invention have been described herein for
`purposes of illustration, many modifications and changes
`will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly,
`the appended claims are intended to encompass all such
`modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and
`scope of this invention.
`
`1. A system for signal communication, comprising:
`
`a first earpiece comprising a first Bluetooth transceiver
`T1, the transceiver T1 adapted to receive a first audio
`signal transmitted wirelessly from a Bluetooth trans-
`ceiver T over a first channel, the first audio signal being
`transmitted by the transceiver T and received by the
`transceiver T1 in accordance with prevailing Bluetooth
`standards, the first earpiece adapted to fit within or
`behind a first ear of a person in a manner that
`is
`sufficient for the person to hear the first audio signal;
`and
`
`a second earpiece comprising a second Bluetooth trans-
`ceiver 12,
`the transceiver T2 adapted to receive a
`second audio signal transmitted wirelessly from the
`transceiver T over a second channel, the second audio
`signal being transmitted by the transceiver T and
`received by the transceiver T2 in accordance with
`prevailing Bluetooth standards,
`the second earpiece
`adapted to fit within or behind a second ear of the
`person in a manner that is sufficient for the person to
`hear the second audio signal, the combination of the
`first audio signal and the second audio signal being a
`stereo signal, the first earpiece and the second earpiece
`not being mechanically connected to each other by a
`headset or by any mechanical device that is adapted to
`fit on the head of the person.
`2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first earpiece and
`the second earpiece are not mechanically connected to each
`other by any mechanical device.
`3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first earpiece and
`the second earpiece are each adapted to fit within the concha
`bowl of the first ear and the second ear, respectively.
`4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first earpiece and
`the second earpiece are each adapted to fit in the canal, but
`not wholly within the concha bowl, of the first ear and the
`second ear, respectively, such that
`the first and second
`earpieces are primarily visible to an ordinary observer of the
`first ear and the second ear.
`
`5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first earpiece and
`the second earpiece are each adapted to essentially fit in the
`canal of the first ear and the second ear, respectively, such
`that the first and second earpieces are primarily not visible
`to an ordinary observer of the first ear and the second ear.
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`6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first earpiece and
`the second earpiece are each adapted to fit behind the first
`ear and the second ear, respectively.
`7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second
`earpieces are not adapted to facilitate transmission of voice
`Vibrations of the person to the transceiver T.
`8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first audio signal
`and the second audio signal are a first stereo component and
`a second stereo component, respectively, of a musical signal.
`9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first audio signal is
`adapted to be transmitted by the transceiver T to the trans-
`ceiver T1 at a power not exceeding about 1 milliwatt, and
`wherein the second audio signal is adapted to be transmitted
`by the transceiver T to the transceiver T2 at a power not
`exceeding about 1 milliwatt
`10. The system of claim 1, wherein a range of the first
`audio signal as transmitted by the transceiver T does not
`exceed about 10 meters, and wherein a range of the second
`audio signal as transmitted by the transceiver T does not
`exceed about 10 meters.
`
`11. The system of claim 1, wherein the first audio signal
`and the second audio signal are generated by a source device
`electrically coupled to the transceiver T.
`12. The system of claim 11, wherein the source device is
`a compact disc(CD) player, a cassette tape player, or a
`Moving Picture Experts Group Audio Layer 3 (MP3) player.
`13. The system of claim 11, wherein the transceiver T is
`comprised by a semiconductor chip internally disposed
`within the source device.
`
`14. The system of claim 11, wherein the transceiver T is
`disposed external to the source device and is electrically
`connected to the source device through a line output channel
`of the source device.
`
`15. The system of claim 1, wherein the first audio signal
`and the second audio signal are generated by a source device
`electrically coupled to a Bluetooth transceiver TS through
`wiring, the transceiver TS adapted to wirelessly transmit the
`first and second audio signals over different channels to the
`transceiver T in accordance with prevailing Bluetooth stan-
`dards, the transceiver T being a repeater transceiver for the
`first audio signal and the second audio signal.
`16. The system of claim 15, wherein the source device is
`a compact disc(CD) player, a cassette tape player, or a
`Moving Picture Experts Group Audio Layer 3 (MP3) player.
`17. The system of claim 15, wherein the transceiver T is
`comprised by a semiconductor chip internally disposed
`within the source device.
`
`18. The system of claim 15, wherein the transceiver T is
`disposed external to the source device and is electrically
`connected to the source device through a line-out port of the
`source device.
`
`19. The system of claim 15, wherein the first audio signal
`is adapted to be transmitted by the transceiver TS to the
`transceiver T at a power not exceeding about 1 milliwatt, and
`wherein the second audio signal is adapted to be transmitted
`by the transceiver TS to the transceiver T at a power not
`exceeding about 1 milliwatt.
`20. The system of claim 15, wherein a range of the first
`audio signal as transmitted by the transceiver TS does not
`exceed about 10 meters, and wherein a range of the second
`audio signal as transmitted by the transceiver TS does not
`exceed about 10 meters.
`
`21. A method for signal communication, comprising:
`wirelessly receiving, by a first Bluetooth transceiver T1,
`a first audio signal transmitted by a Bluetooth trans-
`ceiver T over a first channel, the fist audio signal being
`transmitted by the transceiver T and received by the
`transceiver T1 in accordance with prevailing Bluetooth
`standards, the transceiver T being comprised by a first
`earpiece fitted within or behind a first ear of a person in
`a manner that is sufficient for the person to hear the first
`audio signal; and
`wirelessly receiving, by a second Bluetooth transceiver
`T2, a second audio signal transmitted by the transceiver
`T over a second channel, the second audio signal being
`transmitted by the transceiver T and received by the
`transceiver T2 in accordance with prevailing Bluetooth
`standards, the Bluetooth transceiver T being comprised
`by a second earpiece fitted within or behind a second
`ear of the person in a manner that is sufficient for the
`person to hear the second audio signal, the combination
`of the first audio signal and the second audio signal
`being a stereo signal, the first earpiece and the second
`earpiece not being mechanically connected to each
`other by a headset or by any mechanical device that is
`adapted to fit on the head of the person.
`22. The method of claim 21, wherein the first earpiece and
`the second earpiece are not mechanically connected to each
`other by any mechanical device.
`23. The method of claim 21, wherein the first earpiece and
`the second earpiece are each adapted fitted within the concha
`bowl of the first ear and the second ear, respectively.
`24. The method of claim 21, wherein the first earpiece and
`the second earpiece are each fitted in the canal, but not
`wholly within the concha bowl, of the first ear and the
`second ear, respectively, and wherein the first and second
`earpieces are primarily visible to an ordinary observer of the
`first ear and the second ear.
`
`25. The method of claim 21, wherein the first earpiece and
`the second earpiece are fitted in the canal of the first ear and
`the second ear, respectively, and wherein the first and second
`earpieces are primarily not visible to an ordinary observer of
`the first ear and the second ear.
`
`26. The method of claim 21, wherein the first earpiece and
`the second earpiece are each fitted behind the first ear and
`the second ear, respectively.
`27. The method of claim 21, wherein the first and second
`earpieces are not adapted to facilitate transmission of voice
`vibrations of the person to the transceiver T.
`28. The method of claim 21, wherein the first audio signal
`and the second audio signal are a first stereo component and
`a second stereo component, respectively, of a musical signal.
`29. The method of claim 21, wherein the first audio signal
`is transmitted by the transceiver T to the transceiver T1 at a
`power not exceeding about
`1 milliwatt, and wherein the
`second audio signal is transmitted by the transceiver T to the
`transceiver T2 at a power not exceeding about 1 milliwatt.
`30. The method of claim 21, wherein a range of the first
`audio signal as transmitted by the transceiver T does not
`exceed about 10 meters, and wherein a range of the second
`audio signal as transmitted by the transceiver T does not
`exceed about 10 meters.
`31. The method of claim 21, wherein a source device is
`electrically coupled to the transceiver T by wiring, and
`wherein the first audio signal and the second audio signal are
`generated by the source device.
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`US 2006/0111044 A1
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`May 25, 2006
`
`32. The method of claim 31, wherein the source device is
`a compact disc(CD) player, a cassette tape player, or a
`Moving Picture Experts Group Audio Layer 3 (MP3) player.
`33. The method of claim 31, wherein the transceiver T is
`comprised by a semiconductor chip internally disposed
`within the source device.
`34. The method of claim 31, wherein the transceiver T is
`disposed external to the source device and is electrically
`connected to the source device through a line output channel
`of the source device.
`
`35. The method of claim 21, wherein the first audio signal
`and the second audio signal are generated by a source device
`electrically coupled to a Bluetooth transceiver TS through
`wiring, and wherein the first and second audio signals are
`wirelessly transmitted by the transceiver TS over different
`channels to the transceiver T in accordance with prevailing
`Bluetooth standards,
`the transceiver T being a repeater
`transceiver for the first audio signal and the second audio
`signal.
`36. The method of claim 35, wherein the source device is
`a compact disc(CD) player, a cassette tape player, or a
`Moving Picture Experts Group Audio Layer 3 (MP3) player.
`
`37. The method of claim 35, wherein the transceiver T is
`comprised by a semiconductor chip internally disposed
`within the source device.
`
`38. The method of claim 35, wherein the transceiver T is
`disposed external to the source device and is electrically
`connected to the source device through a line-out port of the
`source device.
`
`39. The method of claim 35, wherein the first audio signal
`is transmitted by the transceiver TS at a power not exceeding
`about 1 milliwatt, and wherein the second audio signal is
`transmitted by the transceiver TS at a power not exceeding
`about 1 milliwatt.
`
`40. The method of claim 35, wherein a range of the first
`audio signal as transmitted by the transceiver TS to the
`transceiver T does not exceed about 10 meters, and wherein
`a range of the second audio signal as transmitted by the
`transceiver TS to the transceiver T does not exceed about 10
`meters.
`
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