as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication 10) Pub. No.: US 2008/0194209 Al
`
` Hauptet al. (43) Pub. Date: Aug. 14, 2008
`
`
`US 20080194209A1
`
`(54) WIRELESS HEADPHONES AND DATA
`TRANSMISSION METHOD
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Oct. 19,2004
`
`(DE) oe 10 2004 051 091.1
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors:
`
`Axel Haupt, Langenhagen (DE);
`Andre Michaelis, Wedemark (DE);
`Rolf Meyer, Wennigsen (DE);
`Katrin Huss, Singapore (SG); Jens
`Wildhagen, Burgdorf (DE)
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`HO4B 1/38
`
`(2006.01)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`REEDSMITH, LLP
`ATTN: PATENT RECORDS DEPARTMENT
`599 LEXINGTON AVENUE, 29TH FLOOR
`NEW YORK,NY 10022-7650
`(21) Appl. No.:
`11/665,689
`(22) PCT Filed:
`Oct. 19, 2005
`
`(86) PCT No.:
`
`PCT/EP05/11228
`
`§ 371 (c)(1),
`(2), (4) Date:
`
`Oct. 11, 2007
`
`(52) USe CM. cecccccssssssssssssessssssssssesesssssssesssssnseseses 455/73
`
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`There is provided a wireless headphone unit having at least
`one electroacoustic transducer and a transmitting/receiving
`unit for wirelessly receiving first signals which contain audio
`signals to be reproduced on the electroacoustic transducer
`and a network identification unit for storing the network
`identification of the wireless headphone unit, wherein the
`transmitting/receiving unitis adapted for wirelessly transmit-
`ting the network identification of the headphone unit.
`
`oe ema,
`
`"sa eoae*
`
`Internet
`
`~
`
`Page 1 of 16
`
`KOSS-2012
`IPR2021-00686
`
`Page 1 of 16
`
`KOSS-2012
`IPR2021-00686
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 14,2008 Sheet 1 of 7
`
`US 2008/0194209 Al
`
`
`
`Fig.1
`
`Page 2 of 16
`
`KOSS-2012
`IPR2021-00686
`
`Page 2 of 16
`
`KOSS-2012
`IPR2021-00686
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 14,2008 Sheet 2 of 7
`
`US 2008/0194209 Al
`
`To the access point
`
`\6
`we NX
`
`=
`
`Short-range
`connection
`
`BE
`
`Fig.2
`
`To the access point
`
`.
`_ Further
`- reproduction devices
`:
`e
`ai
`.
`°‘.o,
`fawae..e.‘.4.
`
`WG
`
`\s
`
`¢
`
`,
`
`|
`
`Short-range
`
`connection
`
`Fig.3
`
`Page 3 of 16
`
`KOSS-2012
`IPR2021-00686
`
`Page 3 of 16
`
`KOSS-2012
`IPR2021-00686
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 14,2008 Sheet 3 of 7
`
`US 2008/0194209 Al
`
`< Z
`
`z
`S$
`
`S
`Fig.4
`
`Page 4 of 16
`
`KOSS-2012
`IPR2021-00686
`
`Page 4 of 16
`
`KOSS-2012
`IPR2021-00686
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 14, 2008 Sheet 4 of 7
`
`US 2008/0194209 Al
`
`-_=mm*=
`
`JOUIa}UY
`
`Gbi4
`
`
`
`'Jodsjoy
`
`INGNd
`
`o
`
`(C
`
`S|93HFo~
`
`=-"sean*
`
`Page 5 of 16
`
`KOSS-2012
`IPR2021-00686
`
`Page 5 of 16
`
`KOSS-2012
`IPR2021-00686
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 14,2008 Sheet 5 of 7
`
`US 2008/0194209 Al
`
` Internet MO
`
`Cc
`
`°=Q
`
`a
`Oo
`Su
`Eo
`3 &
`{oO
`
`co
`D
`i
`
`-A
`
`E
`
`Page 6 of 16
`
`KOSS-2012
`IPR2021-00686
`
`Page 6 of 16
`
`KOSS-2012
`IPR2021-00686
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 14,2008 Sheet 6 of 7
`
`US 2008/0194209 Al
`
`Page 7 of 16
`
`Fig.8
`
`KOSS-2012
`IPR2021-00686
`
`Page 7 of 16
`
`KOSS-2012
`IPR2021-00686
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 14,2008 Sheet 7 of 7
`
`US 2008/0194209 Al
`
`=|Le
`
`Fig.9
`
`Page 8 of 16
`
`KOSS-2012
`IPR2021-00686
`
`Page 8 of 16
`
`KOSS-2012
`IPR2021-00686
`
`

`

`US 2008/0194209 Al
`
`Aug. 14, 2008
`
`WIRELESS HEADPHONES AND DATA
`TRANSMISSION METHOD
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This application claims priority of International
`Application No. PCT/EP2005/011228, filed Oct. 19, 2005
`and German Application No. 10 2004 051 091.1, filed Oct.
`19, 2004, the complete disclosures ofwhichare hereby incor-
`porated by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002]
`a) Field of the Invention
`[0003] The present invention concerns a wireless head-
`phoneunit, a wireless microphone, a wireless headset and a
`data transmission method.
`
`[0009] The above-described downloading of data, in par-
`ticular audio files, from the Internet is however not always
`acceptable in terms of copyright.
`
`OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0010] Therefore the primary object of the present inven-
`tion is to provide mobile access to data stored in an Internet
`server, which appears acceptable in terms of copyright. A
`further object ofthe present invention is to provide a wireless
`headphoneunit, a wireless microphone and a wireless headset
`which permit improvedlinking into existing or present com-
`munication environments.
`
`[0011] The invention concerns the idea of providing a for
`example WLAN-based headphone unit or a WLAN-based
`receiving device with headphone unit connection, to which
`for example audiofiles can be wirelessly transmitted, insofar
`as they are in a transmission range for example of a WLAN
`access point. In that case a connection is made between the
`headphoneunitor the receiving device with a server and/or
`server service which supports the client functionalities. In
`that case the server and/or server service can be its own
`server/server service or an outside server/server service
`
`b) Description of the Related Art
`[0004]
`[0005] The spread of digitally compressed music for
`example in the form of MP3files has risen greatly in recent
`whose connecting data are known and to which the user has
`years. Audiofiles are digitized and stored for example on a
`access rights. More precisely a connection is made between
`hard drive of a computer or the like. Thus, computers are
`the access pointandthe serveror server service on which the
`increasingly used as music servers in the private sector and
`data to be downloadedare to be found, which can be wired but
`the computer is used for playing back the audiofiles stored
`alsopartially or entirely wireless. The data are then transmit-
`thereon. Thus, it is possible to listen to music on a wired
`ted wirelessly based on the WLANinterface (for example
`system and,if the computer has for examplearadio interface,
`JEEE 802.11) from the access point to the headphone unit or
`it is also possible to listen to music wirelessly or it is possible
`the receiving device. Thusit is possible for one’s own digi-
`to provide for wireless transmission of the audio files or the
`tally stored music to be received wirelessly in the transmis-
`audio signals. There are also music servers which are con-
`sion range ofa WLANaccesspoint. The fact that itis possible
`nected to the Internet and which provide audiofiles free or for
`to have access to one’s own music meansthat proofof rights
`a fee. A user can downloadthe free or paid-for audio files on
`is possible throughout,so thatthis appears to be acceptable in
`to his own computer by way ofthe Internet and can thenlisten
`terms of copyright. Access on the part of the WLAN head-
`to the downloaded audio files. By means of a mobile tele-
`phone unit or the WLANreceiving device to one’s own data
`phoneor a mobile radio-enabled PDA,a user, on the basis of
`is effected in that respect in the same fashion irrespective of
`HSCSD, GPRS, UMTSor the like, can access the Internet
`whether the headphone unitor the receiving device are in a
`and thus also downloadaudiofiles ofthat kind. In that respect
`transmission range of one’s own private WLANaccess point
`howeverit is foundthat there is the disadvantagethat a large
`or in the transmission range of a public WLANaccess point.
`amountof data has to be transmittedat often an only low data
`[0012]
`For the permitted access to one’s own audio data,it
`transmissionrate.
`is not absolutely necessary to physically possess a data carrier
`with those audio data. Audio data to which access can be had
`in the permitted fashion in accordancewiththis invention can
`be one’s own music data carriers or audio data which can be
`
`[0006] APDA ora notebook with a WLANinterface TEEE
`802.11) can also wirelessly access the Internet if the PDA or
`the network is within the transmission range of a WLAN
`access point. Thatis particularly advantageous in terms ofthe
`data transmission rate, in comparison with a mobile radio
`connection.
`
`[0007] DE 20 2004 005 111 U1 discloses a wireless Blue-
`tooth headphoneunit whichhasanelectroacoustic transducer
`and a transmitting/receiving unitfor the wireless reception of
`signals which include audio signals to be reproduced.
`[0008] DE 101 14 670 Al discloses a mobile multimedia
`device having a first transmitting/receiving unit for commu-
`nication with a mobile radio network and a second transmit-
`
`ting/receiving unit for receiving radio broadcast frequencies.
`Stored in a transmitteris a reception authorisation which was
`received by wayofthefirst transmitting/receiving device. The
`multimedia device also has a decoding means for decoding
`the multimedia content received in encoded form by way of
`the second transmitting/receiving unit. An authorisation
`request for multimedia contents is communicated wirelessly
`by wayofthefirst transmitting device.
`Page 9 of 16
`
`downloaded from a web-basedservice, possibly for payment
`of a fee, or audio data which, possibly for paymentofa fee,
`can be copied across to a server/server service to be defined,
`from whichthey can then be called up as desired.In particular
`the non-physical purchase of audio data is worthy ofmention
`in connection with this invention.
`
`Possibly the necessary storage space in the private
`[0013]
`sphereis not adequateto store all audio data. It is also possible
`to conceive of a web-based service or a provider which takes
`over the storage operation and which can be accessed in the
`usual manner. That service could also be fee-paying or could
`be incorporated into other service agreements.
`[0014]
`In this respect the invention further concerns the
`idea of designing a headphoneunitnotjust as a passive audio
`receiver but rather as an active network element or as a web
`client which affords an Internet service so that other network
`elements can also have access thereto. A corresponding con-
`sideration applies to a microphoneandto the headset.
`
`KOSS-2012
`IPR2021-00686
`
`Page 9 of 16
`
`KOSS-2012
`IPR2021-00686
`
`

`

`US 2008/0194209 Al
`
`Aug. 14, 2008
`
`Thusthere is provided a wireless headphone unit
`[0015]
`havingat least one electroacoustic transducer and a transmit-
`ting/receiving unit for wirelessly receiving first signals which
`contain the audio signals to be reproduced on the electroa-
`coustic transducer and a network identification unit for stor-
`ing a network identification of the wireless headphone unit,
`wherein the transmitting/receiving unit is adapted for wire-
`lessly transmitting the network identification of the head-
`phoneunit, wherein the network identification ofthe wireless
`headphone unit whichis stored in the network identification
`unit represents an Internet protocol address.
`[0016] Accordingly the wireless headphone unit does not
`just represent an only passive receiver of audio signals butis
`now an active network element. This therefore ensures that
`
`the wireless headphone unit can be uniquely identified in a
`network. Onthe basis of the IP addressit is possible to access
`the wireless headphoneunit by wayofthe Internet, that is to
`say the wireless headphone unit is world-wide addressable.
`[0017]
`In accordance with a further aspect of the present
`invention the IP addressis allocated by a network element in
`a wireless network in which the wireless headphone unitis
`disposed.
`[0018]
`In accordance with a further aspect of the invention
`the headphoneunithas a buffer for the intermediate storage of
`the received signals. By virtue of a buffer of that kind it is
`possible to bridge short-term interruptionsin the reception of
`the first signals without reproduction of the audio signals by
`way of the electroacoustic transducer having to be stopped
`thereby. The buffer memory can be a componentpart of the
`transmission protocol(streaming protocol) or it can be imple-
`mented in the application software as a supplement to the
`transmission protocol.
`[0019]
`In accordance with a further aspect of the present
`invention the wireless headphone unit has a display unit for
`displaying second signals which werereceived by the trans-
`mitting/receiving unit together withthefirst signals. Accord-
`ingly additional information to the audio signals such as for
`example a title and an artist of a piece of music can be
`displayed on the display unit.
`[0020]
`In accordance with a further aspect of the present
`invention the wireless headphone unit has selection keys or
`buttons. By meansofthe selection keys the user can influence
`the display on the display unit and communicate with further
`network elements in the network. In that way the user can
`select for example audiofiles stored ona serverin the network
`so that they can be transmitted to the wireless headphone unit
`for reproduction thereof.
`[0021] The invention also concerns a wireless microphone
`comprising an electroacoustic transducerfor recording audio
`signals and a transmitting/receiving unit for wirelessly trans-
`mitting the recorded audio signals. The wireless microphone
`also has a network identification unit for storing a network
`identification of the wireless microphone. The transmitting/
`receiving unit further serves to transmit the network identifi-
`cation of the microphone, which is stored in the network
`identification unit. There is thus provided a wireless micro-
`phone which no longer merely represents just a passive trans-
`mitter of audio signals but is now implementedin the form of
`an active network element and thus provides an Internet ser-
`vice.
`
`[0022] The invention further concerns a wireless headset
`whichhasatleast a first electroacoustic transducerfor repro-
`ducing audio signals and a secondelectroacoustic transducer
`for recording audio signals. The headset further has a trans-
`Page 10 of 16
`
`mitting/receiving unit for wirelessly transmitting and receiv-
`ing as well as a network identification unit for storing a
`network identification of the headset. The network identifi-
`cation ofthe headsetis wirelessly transmitted by means ofthe
`transmitting/receiving unit.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0023] The invention is described in greater detail herein-
`after with reference to the drawings in which:
`[0024]
`FIG. 1 showsa structure in principle of a transmis-
`sion system accordingto the invention;
`[0025]
`FIG. 2 shows a reproduction device in accordance
`with a first Embodiment;
`[0026]
`FIG. 3 shows a reproduction device in accordance
`with a second embodiment;
`[0027]
`FIG. 4 showsa block circuit diagram of a multime-
`dia network;
`[0028]
`FIG. 5 shows a multimedia network in accordance
`with a third embodimentof the invention;
`[0029]
`FIG. 6 shows a diagrammatic view of a multimedia
`network in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the
`invention;
`[0030]
`FIG. 7 showsa block circuit diagram of a wireless
`headphoneunit in accordance with the third embodiment of
`FIG.5;
`FIG. 8 showsa block circuit diagram of a wireless
`[0031]
`microphone in accordance with the fourth embodiment of
`FIG. 6; and
`[0032]
`FIG. 9 showsa blockcircuit diagram of a headset in
`accordance with a fifth embodiment.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`FIG. 1 showsa structure in principle of a transmis-
`[0033]
`sion system according to the invention. Essentially what is
`shownhereare a private region and a public region which are
`connected together by way of the Internet. Shown in the
`private region is a private server PS which for example has a
`wired connection to an access point APP. That access pointis
`based on a WLANinterface and communicates wirelessly
`with a reproduction device WGin the transmission range of
`the access point APP. Arrangedin the public region is a public
`server OS which for example has a wired connection to the
`Internet. Also shownis a further access point APO which also
`has a wired connection to the Internet. That access point APO
`is also based on a WLANinterface and communicates wire-
`lessly with a reproduction device WG which is in its trans-
`mission range.
`[0034]
`For communication with the private access point
`APP or with the public access point APO a reproduction
`device WG has a WLANinterface. In addition thereto asso-
`ciated with the reproduction device is its own IP address.
`Communication of a reproduction device WGin a transmis-
`sion range ofthe private access point APis effected wirelessly
`to the private access point APP and then by a wired connec-
`tion between the private access point APP and the private
`server. Alternatively or in addition thereto the private access
`point APP can have for example a wired connection to the
`Internet. In that way a communication would be possible
`between the reproduction device WG in the transmission
`range of the private access point APP and a public server OS
`by virtue of the fact that the private access point APP is
`connected to the public server OS by wayofthe Internet.
`
`KOSS-2012
`IPR2021-00686
`
`Page 10 of 16
`
`KOSS-2012
`IPR2021-00686
`
`

`

`US 2008/0194209 Al
`
`Aug. 14, 2008
`
`[0035] As an alternative thereto the reproduction device
`WGcan also have a wired communication with the access
`
`point.
`[0036] Communication between the reproduction device
`WGin the transmission range ofthe public access point APO
`and a public or private server OS, PS is effected wirelessly as
`far as the public access point APO and then by way of the
`Internet to the public server OS or the private server PS.
`[0037] Thus,
`irrespective of whether the reproduction
`device WGis in a privateor a public region,it can access both
`the private server PS andalso the public server OS as long as
`it is in a transmission range of an access point.
`[0038] A communication between the reproduction device
`WGand the public server OS or the private server PS is
`effectedin particular by wayof the Internet protocol. For that
`purpose the reproduction device has a suitable IP address
`IP-WGandthe private and public servers also have corre-
`sponding IP addresses IP-PS, IP-OS. Mutual communication
`is thus effected on the basis of the respective IP addresses.
`Thathasin particular the advantage that the publicor private
`server OS, PS can establish whetherthe receiver ofthe data is
`also actually the reproduction device WG.If the IP address of
`the data receiver is not in conformity with the IP address
`IP-WGofthe reproduction device WG, communication ofthe
`respective data can be prevented. On the basis of the IP
`address it is also possibleto trace back to whom the respective
`data were communicated. FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic rep-
`resentation of a reproduction device of FIG. 1 in accordance
`with a first embodiment. In accordance withthefirst embodi-
`ment the reproduction device is in the form of a headphone
`unit with a WLANinterface. In other words, the headphone
`unit communicates directly on the basis of WLAN with an
`access point. Thus no further device is required for receiving
`the wirelessly transmitted signals. All necessary elements are
`integrated in the wireless headphone unit. This means that
`data can be wirelessly received by means of the wireless
`WLANheadphoneunit ifthe headphoneunitis in a transmis-
`sion range of a WLANaccesspoint.
`[0039] As analternative toa WLANinterface the reproduc-
`tion device can also have an interface which permits a wired
`communication with the access point. As an alternative to the
`WLANinterface the reproduction device can also have a
`wireless interface which is based on another wireless com-
`
`munication protocol.
`[0040] An external operating element BE can be provided
`for improving the operability of the wireless headphoneunit.
`The communication between the operating element BE and
`the headphoneunit can be either wired or wireless (IR, Blue-
`tooth, HF). In that case the operating element only serves for
`operation of the wireless headphone unit. No WLANinter-
`face is integrated in the operating element BE.Asan alterna-
`tive thereto the operating element can also be integrated on
`the headphoneunit.
`[0041] FIG.3 showsa diagrammatic view of a reproduction
`device in accordance with a second embodiment. This Figure
`also shows a headphone unit and an operating element BE. In
`contrast to the first embodiment however a WLANinterface
`is integratedin the operating unit BE so that the operating unit
`communicates wirelessly with an access point. The received
`data are transmitted from the operating unit BE to the head-
`phone unit by a wired connection or wirelessly (IR, Blue-
`tooth, HF etc). In accordance with the second embodiment
`Page 11 of 16
`
`therefore the WLANinterface is integrated in the operating
`unit BE while the headphone unit only represents a conven-
`tional headphone unit.
`[0042]
`Integration of the WLANinterface in the operating
`unit BE proves to be advantageous in terms of the battery
`voltage required as thereis a larger amountof space available
`in an operating elementof that kind.
`[0043] An operating element in accordance with the second
`embodimentofthe invention can in that respect represent any
`device having a WLANinterface such as for example a note-
`book, a PDA, a mobile telephone, a Voice-over-IP telephone
`or the like. The operating element can also be implementedin
`the form of an MP3 player with a WLANinterface. If an
`operating element of that kind has a sufficiently large inter-
`mediate memory or buffer a plurality of audio files can be
`previously loaded on to the operating element so that subse-
`quently they can be played back independently of a connec-
`tion to an access point.
`[0044] The operating element in accordance with the sec-
`ond embodiment can thus also service further headphone
`units with a corresponding audio signal—either by a wired
`connection or wirelessly.
`[0045] By meansof the above-described wireless head-
`phoneunit with an integrated WLANinterface a person wear-
`ing such a headphoneunitcan listen to music wheneverhe is
`in the transmission range of a WLANaccess point. High-
`quality audio reproduction is made possible by virtue of the
`high transmission rate in the case of WLAN.Furthermore,
`downloading of the corresponding data of the audio files or
`pieces ofmusic to be reproduced can be substantially effected
`in real time so that only a very small intermediate memory or
`buffer is required in the headphone unit. Alternatively or in
`addition thereto the corresponding data can also be loadedat
`a higher speed and correspondingly stored in the intermediate
`memory or buffer. Thus the headphone unit can also be sup-
`plied with music and correspondingly reproduce same when
`the headphoneunitis not in a transmission range of aWLAN
`access point. Essentially the wireless headphone unithas all
`necessary hardware elements which are required both for
`downloading andalso for reproducing audio files which are
`correspondingly downloaded from the Internet.
`[0046]
`To reduce the data to be transmitted the audiofiles
`can be stored and transmitted in a compressed form such as
`for example MP3, MP3pro, WMA, Ogg Vorbis orthelike.
`That accordingly involves decompression only in the
`receiver, that is to say in the wireless headphone unit. Thus the
`wireless headphone unit must have a unit for decompression
`of the compressed audio signals or suitable software for that
`purpose. As an alternative thereto the required software can
`also be transmitted together with or prior to the audio data.
`That is particularly advantageous insofar as there can be
`variousversions of such a headphoneunit from various manu-
`facturers and the respective headphone unit always receives
`the newest software version availablethereto.
`
`[0047] Bothin accordancewiththefirst and also the second
`embodimenta reproduction device,that is to say an operating
`element or a wireless headphone, can both receive and also
`transmit data. Thus such a reproduction device can receive
`data wirelessly from an access point and then forwardit again
`to further reproduction devices. That can take place either by
`a wired connection or wirelessly based on infrared, Blue-
`tooth, HFor the like. Thus not just audio files but also audio
`streams can be simultaneously received by the reproduction
`device and correspondingly forwarded.In addition the repro-
`
`KOSS-2012
`IPR2021-00686
`
`Page 11 of 16
`
`KOSS-2012
`IPR2021-00686
`
`

`

`US 2008/0194209 Al
`
`Aug. 14, 2008
`
`duction device, that is to say the wireless headphone unit or
`the operating element, can provide for time control of repro-
`duction to external reproduction devices in such a way that
`reproduction takes place synchronously. As an alternative
`thereto reproduction can be suitably delayed in the wireless
`headphone unit which is connected to the access point in
`order to achieve synchronous reproduction on all reproduc-
`tion devices. Essentially therefore the wireless headphone
`unit or the operating elementis in the form of a master, the
`further reproduction devices being implementedas the slave.
`Thus a wireless headphoneunit or an operating elementwill
`occur as a local server and make the stored audio files avail-
`able to other reproduction devices. Transmission of the data
`stored in the wireless headphoneunit or the operating element
`can be effectedeitherin real time or at an increased speed so
`that the other reproduction devices permit later or time-dis-
`placed reproduction in accordance with the size of their inter-
`mediate memory or buffer.
`[0048]
`Ina preferred embodimentofthe inventionthe wire-
`less headphone unit is designed in such a way that whenitis
`switched on it dials in ata WLANaccess point if it is in a
`transmission range of a WLANaccess point. Thereafter the
`wireless headphone unit makes a connection to a given server
`on which the audiofiles to be transmitted are to be found. That
`
`can be effected for example based on the Internet protocol, on
`the basis of a specific IP address of such a server. That server
`can either represent a private server which is for example
`permanently connected to the Internet by way of a DSL
`connection. As an alternative thereto the data which are to be
`downloaded can also be on a further server which is perma-
`nently connected to the Internet.
`[0049] The wireless headphone unitin accordance with the
`first and second embodiments checks at regular intervals
`whetherit is in a transmission range of an access point. As
`soon as it discovers that it is in a transmission range of an
`access point and has made a connectionto that access point
`that is indicated to the usereither optically by an LED display,
`acoustically by a signal
`tone in the headphone unit or
`mechanically by a vibration alarm. If a suitable operating
`element is present that message can also be producedat the
`operating element. Such a message however can also be
`switchedoff.
`
`[0050] The user can also adjust whether he would or would
`notlike to make contact with a server.
`
`[0051] Actuating selection keys on the wireless headphone
`unit or on the operating elementinitiates a connection with a
`server on which the data to be transmitted are to be found.
`That therefore initiates a connection without further destina-
`
`tion information having to be inputted as such informationis
`already previously stored in the headphoneunit. If, in the case
`of ongoing communication of data, the connection to the
`WLANaccess pointis interrupted, the headphoneunittries at
`intervals which are to be defined to restore a connection and
`
`to resume transmission of the corresponding data until all
`data have been transmitted.
`
`Inorderto improveproofofrights throughout andin
`[0052]
`order to prevent unwanted eavesdropping or misuse of the
`transmission of data between a wireless WLAN headphone
`unit and a specific server or headphone unit, transmission of
`the data is effected in encrypted form. A corresponding key
`can vary during the transmissionat intervals oftime which are
`defined beforehand or from one download to another. Exist-
`ing web functionalities, for example SSL, can also be used for
`encryption.
`Page 12 of 16
`
`In accordance with a further embodimentan oper-
`[0053]
`ating element described in accordance with the second
`embodimentof the invention is arranged in an automobile or
`the like. In this case however it should be noted that the
`
`intermediate memory or the buffer is of a sufficient size as
`there is not always any guaranteethat the operating elementis
`in a transmission range of a WLANaccess point. Therefore
`preferably before starting a journey orat fixed stations such as
`for examplea service area or a gasoline station data should be
`loaded at a high rate. Alternatively thereto or in addition
`thereto for example further access points can be provided at
`the outskirts of a city, at which specific items of information
`regarding the surrounding area such as for example tourist
`attractions, traffic information, navigation information or the
`like are stored. Those items of information which are to be
`reproduced can represent items of audio and video informa-
`tion, in which case reproduction is also madepossible by way
`of installed loudspeakersor installed video picture screens in
`the automobile. Reproduction of the information can also be
`triggered by a navigation system or another item of position
`information (for example mobile radio or GPS).
`[0054] That is also possible if a user is in an aircraft or a
`train. In that case the WLANaccess point is arranged in the
`train orin the aircraft so that the user is always in a suitable
`transmission range of a WLAN access point.
`[0055]
`Asthe data stored on a private server PS or a public
`server OS can involve a very large amount of data,
`it is
`necessary to ensure that a user can navigate within thosedata.
`For that purpose for example a program is implemented on
`the server, which sorts and suitably predefines the data on the
`server. As soon as the wireless headphone unit then forms a
`connection with that server the corresponding audiofiles are
`communicated to the wireless headphone unit so that it can
`playthe files back. Navigation can be effected either by way
`of selection keys or buttons on the headphoneunit or by way
`of speech input by means of an additional microphone. In
`other words, by meansofthe selection keys and the speech
`commands, a user can control a corresponding navigation
`program onthe server. Alternatively the navigation program
`can be a componentpart ofthe headphoneunit, in which case
`then the commandsare so translated that the server service
`
`understands them and executes the corresponding com-
`mands. An operating element with a display can either be
`integrated in the headphone unit or can be in the form of an
`external device. Thus, by meansofthe selection keys and the
`display of the operating element, the user can navigate in and
`suitably select the structured data files or data banks on the
`private or public server.
`[0056] When a connection is made between the wireless
`headphone unit and the specific server on which the corre-
`sponding data are stored items of information regarding the
`structure of the data and the audio data bank can be commu-
`nicated beforehand. As soon as those data are stored in the
`
`intermediate memory or buffer offline navigation can also be
`effected when the wireless headphoneunit is not in a trans-
`mission range of a WLANaccesspoint.
`[0057] Alternatively or in addition to the foregoing the
`server on whichthe data are stored can be adapted to produce
`a synthetic announcementin respect of the data to be com-
`municated. That synthesized announcementcan be stored in
`the memory of the reproduction device. In that case the
`announcementcan be producedin the form of an MP3file, a
`watefile or the like and correspondingly stored in the repro-
`duction device so that thatfile can be correspondingly repro-
`
`KOSS-2012
`IPR2021-00686
`
`Page 12 of 16
`
`KOSS-2012
`IPR2021-00686
`
`

`

`US 2008/0194209 Al
`
`Aug. 14, 2008
`
`duced during reproduction or at the beginning of reproduc-
`tion ofthe data. That is found to be advantageousin particular
`for reproduction devices without a display as the title name
`per audio output can be outputted to the user. As already
`mentioned hereinbefore the title announcementis preferably
`produced by speech synthesis from the data file name or the
`ID tag in the case of MP3 files. That speech synthesis is
`preferably effected in the server or such speech synthesis can
`already be implemented beforehand andthe resulting synthe-
`sized announcementcan also be stored on the server so that
`
`the data can be communicated together with the announce-
`mentto the reproduction device. The fact that speech synthe-
`sis takes place not in the reproduction device but on the server
`or on an upstream device meansthat the complexity of the
`reproduction device does not have to be increasedin order to
`ensure that the synthesized announcement can be suitably
`played.
`Preferably thetitle of a data file, the duration of the
`[0058]
`file and secondary items of information such as for example
`the music genre, theartist or the like can be provided as the
`synthesized announcement.
`[0059] As an alternative to the foregoing speech synthesis
`can be effected when the corresponding data files are
`requested for transmission. That is found to be advantageous
`insofar as it is possible to save on storage space on the server
`as the synthesized announcementonly has to be produced for
`data files which are actua