(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0136839 A1
`(43) Pub. Date: Jun. 23, 2005
`
`Seshadri et al.
`
`US 20050136839A1
`
`MODULAR WIRELESS MULTIMEDIA
`DEVICE
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Int. Cl.7 .............................. H04M 1/00; H04B 1/38
`(51)
`(52) U.S.Cl.
`........................................ 455/412; 455/5752
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A modular wireless headset includes wearable earpiece(s)
`and wearable microphone(s), where the earpiece and micro-
`phone may be physically separate devices. The wearable
`earpiece renders inbound radio frequencies received from a
`host device audible. The wearable earpiece may include a
`receiver module, data recovery module, and speaker mod-
`ule. The receiver module may convert inbound RF signals
`into low intermediate frequency (IF) signals. The data
`recovery module recovers audio signals from the low IF
`signals. The speaker module renders the audio signals
`audible. The wearable microphone converts received audio
`signals into outbound RF signals, where the outbound RF
`signals are transmitted to the host device. The wearable
`microphone includes an audio input module and a transmit-
`ter module. The audio input module is operably coupled to
`convert received analog audio signals into digital audio
`signals. The transmitter module is operably coupled to
`convert
`the digital audio signals into the outbound RF
`signals.
`
`(54)
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Nambirajan Seshadri, Irvine, CA
`(US); James D. Bennett, San
`Clemente, CA (US); Jeyhan Karaoguz,
`Irvine, CA (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`GARLICK HARRISON & MARKISON LLP
`P.0. BOX 160727
`AUSTIN, TX 78716-0727 (US)
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`10/976,300
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Oct. 27, 2004
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(63)
`
`Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/856,124,
`filed on May 28, 2004.
`Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/856,430,
`filed on May 28, 2004.
`
`(60)
`
`Provisional application No. 60/473,675, filed on May
`28, 2003. Provisional application No. 60/473,967,
`filed on May 28, 2003.
`
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`Patent Application Publication Jun. 23, 2005 Sheet 1 0f 12
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`Patent Application Publication Jun. 23, 2005 Sheet 5 0f 12
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`Patent Application Publication Jun. 23, 2005 Sheet 8 0f 12
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`Patent Application Publication Jun. 23, 2005 Sheet 9 0f 12
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`Patent Application Publication Jun. 23, 2005 Sheet 10 0f 12
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`Patent Application Publication Jun. 23, 2005 Sheet 11 0f 12
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`Patent Application Publication Jun. 23, 2005 Sheet 12 0f 12
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`US 2005/0136839 A1
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`US 2005/0136839 A1
`
`Jun. 23, 2005
`
`MODULAR WIRELESS MULTIMEDIA DEVICE
`
`CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This Application is a continuation-in-part of appli-
`cation Ser. No. 10/856,124, filed May 28, 2004 which claims
`priority under 35 USC § 119(e) to Provisional Application
`No. 60/473,675, filed on May 28, 2003, both of which are
`incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. This
`Application is also a continuation-in-part of application Ser.
`No. 10/856,430, filed May 28, 2004 which claims priority
`under 35 USC § 119(e) to Provisional Application No.
`60/473,967 filed on May 28, 2003, both of which are
`incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002]
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0003] This invention generally to wireless communica-
`tions and more particularly to modular wireless headset
`and/or headphone and communications associated there-
`with.
`
`[0004]
`
`2. Background of the Invention
`
`[0005] Wireless communications offer users the ability to
`be “wired” from almost anywhere in the world. Cellular
`telephones, satellite telephones, wireless local area net-
`works, personal digital assistants (PDAs) with radio fre-
`quency (RF) interfaces, laptop computers with RF interfaces
`and other such devices enable these wireless communica-
`tions. Such wireless communications have been extended to
`
`personal wireless networks, such as these defined by the
`Bluetooth specification. One popular use of personal wire-
`less networks couples a wireless headset(s) with cellular
`telephone(s), personal computer(s), and laptop(s), etc. The
`Bluetooth specification provides specific guidelines for pro-
`viding such wireless headset functionality.
`
`In particular, Bluetooth provides a headset profile
`[0006]
`that defines protocols and procedures for implementing a
`wireless headset to a device private network. Once config-
`ured, the headset functions as the device’s audio input and
`output. As further defined by the Bluetooth specification, the
`headset must be able to send AT (Attention) commands and
`receive resulting codes, such that the headset can initiate and
`terminate calls. The Bluetooth specification also defines
`certain headset profile restrictions. These restrictions include
`an assumption that the ultimate headset is assumed to be the
`only use case active between the two devices. The trans-
`mission of audio is based on continuously variable slope
`delta (CVSD) modulation. The result is a monophonic audio
`of a quality that normally will not have perceived audio
`degradation. Only one audio connection at a time is sup-
`ported between the headset and audio gateway. The audio
`gateway controls the synchronous connection orientated
`(SCO) link establishment and release. The headset directly
`connects and disconnects the internal audio stream upon
`SCO link establishment and release. Once the link is estab-
`
`lished, valid speech exists on the SCO link in both direc-
`tions. The headset profile offers only basic inoperability such
`that the handling of multiple calls at the audio gateway is not
`supported. It is assumed that the headset user interface can
`detect user initiated action, such as the pressing of a button.
`
`[0007] While a wireless headset provides cord-free opera-
`tion between the headset and the host device (i.e., the audio
`
`Page 14 of21
`
`gateway), there still must be a physical connectivity between
`the earpiece and microphone of the headset. This direct
`connectivity limits the physical structure that could be used
`for a wireless headset and, in many cases, results in headsets
`that are cumbersome to use and uncomfortable to wear.
`
`[0008] Therefore, a need eXists for a method and apparatus
`for a modular headset that is less cumbersome, more dis-
`crete, and more comfortable to wear.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0009] The modular wireless headset and/or headphones
`of the present invention substantially meet these above-
`identified needs and others. One embodiment includes at
`
`least one earpiece and at least one microphone, where the
`earpiece is physically separate from the microphone. The
`earpiece is operably to render inbound radio frequencies
`received from a host device audible. To do this, the wearable
`earpiece includes a receiver module, a data recovery mod-
`ule, and a speaker module. The receiver module converts
`inbound RF signals into low intermediate frequency (IF)
`signals. The data recovery module then recovers audio
`signals from the low IF signals. The speaker module renders
`these signals audible. The microphone converts received
`audio signals into outbound RF signals, where the outbound
`RF signals are transmitted to the host device (e.g., cellular
`telephone, personal computer,
`laptop computer, personal
`digital assistant, wire line telephone, et cetera). The wear-
`able microphone includes, at least, an audio input module
`and a transmitter module. The audio input module converts
`received analog audio signals into digital audio signals. The
`transmitter module then converts the digital audio signals
`into the outbound RF signals.
`
`In another embodiment, a method for wireless
`[0010]
`communications within a piconet that includes a modular
`wireless headset and a host device begins by establishing a
`piconet that includes the host device, the earpiece module,
`and the microphone module. The processing continues by
`transmitting outbound RF signals from the microphone
`module to the host device via a first wireless communication
`
`resource of the piconet. The processing further continues by
`transmitting inbound RF signals from the host device to the
`earpiece module via a second wireless communication
`resource of the piconet.
`
`[0011] An embodiment of a modular communication
`device includes a host module and a detachable earpiece
`module. The modular communication device may further
`include a detachable microphone module. The host module
`is operable to generate inbound RF signals from playback
`baseband signals (e.g., digital audio signals produced by a
`CD player, DVD player, et cetera). The host module pro-
`vides the playback baseband signals to the detachable ear-
`piece via a physical connection when the detachable ear-
`piece is physically coupled to the host module. The host
`module provides the inbound RF signals to the detachable
`earpiece via a wireless communication resource when the
`detachable earpiece module is not physically coupled to the
`host module. The host module may receive audio record
`baseband signals via a physical connection from the micro-
`phone module when the microphone module is physically
`coupled to the host module. When the microphone module
`is not physically coupled to the host module, the detachable
`microphone module converts the audio record baseband
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`signals into outbound RF signals and provides the outbound
`RF signals to the host module via a second wireless com-
`munication resource.
`
`[0012] An embodiment of modular wireless headphones
`includes a first and second wearable earpiece. Each of the
`wearable earpieces is operably coupled to render inbound
`signals received from a host device into audible signals. In
`addition, each of the wearable earpieces includes a receiver
`module, data recovery module and speaker module. The
`receiver module is operably coupled to convert the inbound
`RF signals, which are received from the host device, into
`low intermediate frequency signals. The data recovery mod-
`ule is operably coupled to recover audio signals from the low
`intermediate frequency signals. The speaker module is oper-
`ably coupled to render the audio signals audible. In such an
`embodiment, the first wearable earpiece may receive infor-
`mation corresponding to left channel stereo audio informa-
`tion, while the second wearable earpiece may receive right
`channel stereo audio information.
`
`[0013] Each of these various embodiments provides sepa-
`rate wearable components of a headset and/or headphones.
`With separate earpieces and/or microphones, various physi-
`cal embodiments of the earpieces and/or microphones may
`be generated. The components, when worn, are less con-
`spicuous than previous integrated headsets and are more
`comfortable to wear. For instance,
`the earpieces may be
`form fitted to an individual’s ear, contain an eyeglass clip-on
`piece, etc.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL
`VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a modular wireless headset
`in accordance with the present invention;
`
`[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagram of another modular wireless
`headset in accordance with the present invention;
`
`[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an access
`point in accordance with the present invention;
`
`[0017] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a wearable
`earpiece in accordance with the present invention;
`
`[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a wearable
`microphone in accordance with the present invention;
`
`[0019] FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an alternate
`wearable earpiece in accordance with the present invention;
`
`[0020] FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of another
`wearable microphone in accordance with the present inven-
`tion;
`
`[0021] FIGS. 8-10 are graphic representations of various
`piconets that include a modular wireless headset and host
`device in accordance with the present invention;
`
`[0022] FIG. 11 is a diagram of a modular communication
`device in accordance with the present invention; and
`
`[0023] FIG. 12 is a logic diagram of a method for wireless
`communications within a piconet that includes a modular
`wireless headset and host device in accordance with the
`
`present invention.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`[0024] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a modular wireless headset
`10 that includes a wearable earpiece 12 and a wearable
`
`Page 15 of21
`
`microphone 14. Wearable earpiece 12 may be a separate
`physical device from wearable microphone 14. Accordingly,
`wearable earpiece 12 and wearable microphone 14 are
`separate communication devices that may individually com-
`municate with host device 16 via separate communication
`pathways. As shown, wearable earpiece 12 may communi-
`cate with host device 16, which may be a cellular telephone,
`wire line telephone, laptop computer, personal computer,
`personal digital assistant, etc, using transceiver (or receiver)
`13 via a first communication pathway 18. Host device 16 is
`operable to establish a wireless pathway to earpiece 12 or
`microphone 14. The wearable microphone 14 may commu-
`nicate with the host device 16 using transceiver (or trans-
`mitter) 15 via a second communication pathway 20.
`
`If the first and second communication pathways 18
`[0025]
`and 20 are established in accordance with the Bluetooth
`
`specification, communication resources 18 and 20 may be
`different timeslot allocations on the same synchronous con-
`nection orientated (SCO) link, or may be separate SCO
`links. Configuration and construction details of wearable
`earpiece 12 and wearable microphone 14 will be described
`in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 4-12.
`
`[0026] FIG. 2 is a diagram of another embodiment of
`modular wireless headset 30 that includes two wearable
`
`earpieces 12A and 12B, and wearable microphone 14. In this
`configuration, microphone 14 communicates with host
`device 16 via communication pathway 20, wearable ear-
`piece 12A communicates with host device 16 using trans-
`ceiver (or receiver) 13A via communication pathway 18 and
`wearable earpiece 12B communicates with host device 16
`using transceiver (or receiver) 13B via communication path-
`way 32.
`
`In operation, voice produced by the individual
`[0027]
`wearing microphone 14 is received via microphone 34 and
`converted into RF signals by circuitry within wearable
`microphone 14. These RF signals are provided to host
`device 16 via communication pathway 20. Host device 16
`includes a corresponding receiver antenna 34 and receiver
`module 36 to recapture the audio signals received via
`communication pathways 18, 20 and 32. These items will be
`further discussed in FIG. 3. In addition, host device 16
`includes at least one transmitter 38 to transmit audio infor-
`
`mation to the wearable earpiece(s) 12A and 12B. In one
`embodiment, host device 16 may transmit left channel stereo
`information to wearable earpiece 12 and right channel stereo
`information to wearable earpiece 12B.
`
`[0028] Awireless headphone may be realized by omitting
`wearable microphone 14 and including either one or both of
`wearable earpieces 12A and 12B. In this embodiment, host
`device may be a playback device such as a CD player, DVD
`player, cassette player, etc. operable to stream audio infor-
`mation.
`
`[0029] FIG. 3 is a diagram of host device that supports
`modular wireless headset 30. Host device 16 includes a
`
`combination of transmitter and receiver (or transceiver)
`modules that accept and modulate or demodulate streamed
`audio to and from earpiece(s) 12 and microphone 14 through
`antenna 17. The host device may be incorporated within or
`operably couple to another device such as a playback device,
`laptop, cellular telephone, land based telephone or other like
`device known to those skilled in the art. For example, one
`embodiment has transmitter module 19 and receiver module
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`21. Transmitter module 19 accepts unmodulated streamed
`audio from playback type device 23 (e.g., DVD player, MP3
`player, CD player, cassette player, or other like devices
`known to those skilled in the art.). Transmitter module 19
`then modulates the streamed audio into low intermediate
`
`frequency (IF) signal 70. In the case where two earpieces are
`employed, multiple transmitter modules may be employed
`to modulate the streamed audio into low IF signals for the
`earpieces for each channel (i.e. left and right channels of
`stereo transmissions. Similarly, receiver module 21 accepts
`modulated streamed audio from wearable microphone 14.
`Receiver module 21 recovers audio signals from the
`received low IF signals. The recovered audio signals are
`then relayed to receiving device 25. Note that the generation
`of low IF signals and subsequent demodulation to recapture
`audio signal may be done in accordance with a particular
`wireless communication standard. For example, the Blue-
`tooth specification may be used, IEEE802.11 (a), (b), and/or
`(g) may also be used, etc.
`
`[0030] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of wearable
`earpiece 12. Wearable earpiece 12 includes receiver module
`40, data recovery module 42 and speaker module 44. One
`embodiment of receiver module 40 includes antenna 46,
`bandpass filter 48, low noise amplifier 50, down converter
`52 and local oscillator 54. Data recovery module 42 may
`include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 56 and pro-
`cessing module 58. Processing module 58, which may have
`associated memory, is configured to provide digital channel
`filter 60, demodulator 61 and setup module 76. Speaker
`module 44 includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 62,
`variable gain module 64, and at least one speaker 66.
`
`is configured (which will be
`[0031] Once the piconet
`receiver module 40 receives
`described subsequently),
`inbound RF signal 68 from host device 16 via antenna 46.
`Bandpass filter 48 filters the received RF signal 68 which are
`subsequently amplified by low noise amplifier 50. Down
`converter 52 converts the filtered and gained RF signal 68
`into low intermediate frequency (IF) signal 70 based on a
`local oscillator 54. Low IF signals 70 may have a carrier
`frequency at DC ranging to a few megahertz.
`
`[0032] Data recovery module 42 receives low IF signals
`70 and converts the low IF signals 70 into digital signals via
`ADC 56. Processing module 58 may be a single processing
`device or a plurality of processing devices. Such a process-
`ing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digi-
`tal signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit,
`field programmable gate array, programmable logic device,
`state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digital cir-
`cuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog
`and/or digital) based on operational
`instructions. The
`memory (not shown) may be a single memory device or a
`plurality of memory devices. Such a memory device may be
`a read-only memory,
`random access memory, volatile
`memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic
`memory, flash memory, and/or any device that stores digital
`information. Note that when processing module 58 imple-
`ments one or more of its functions via a state machine,
`analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the
`memory storing the corresponding operational instructions
`is embedded with the circuitry comprising the state machine,
`analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.
`
`[0033] Digital channel filter 60 receives the digital low IF
`signals 72 and filters these signals. Demodulator 61 recovers
`
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`audio signals 74 from the filtered low IF signals. Note that
`the generation of RF signal 68 and subsequent demodulation
`to recapture audio signal 74 may be done in accordance with
`a particular wireless communication standard. For example,
`the Bluetooth specification may be used; IEEE802.11 (a),
`(b), and/or (g) may also be used, etc.
`
`[0034] Speaker module 44 converts digital audio signal 74
`into analog signals provided to the user through speakers 66.
`Adjustable gain module 64 adjusts the gain (i.e., adjusts
`volume), and provides the gained signals to speaker 66,
`which produces audible signals 74. As long as the piconet
`remains in place between wearable earpiece 12 and host
`device 16, wearable earpiece 12 will produce audible signals
`74 from received inbound RF signal 68.
`
`[0035] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of wearable
`microphone 14 that includes audio input module 80 and
`transmitter module 82. Audio input module 80 includes
`microphone 84, amplifier 86, ADC 88, processing module
`100 that is configured to provide a setup module 92 and
`modulator 90, and DAC 62. Transmitter module 82 includes
`up-converter 94, local oscillator 96, power amplifier 97,
`bandpass filter 98, and antenna 102.
`
`[0036] Once wearable microphone 14 is configured within
`a piconet, microphone 84 is operably coupled to receive
`audio signals 105 and convert these signals to analog signals
`106. Amplifier 86 amplifies analog audio signals 106 to
`produce amplified signals. ADC 88 then converts the ampli-
`fied signals into digital audio signals 108. Modulator 90
`modulates the digital signals based on a communication
`standard into modulated signals. As shown, modulator 90
`and setup module 92 are implemented within processing
`module 100. Processing module 100 may be a single pro-
`cessing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such a
`processing device may be a microprocessor, micro-control-
`ler, digital signal processor, microcomputer, central process-
`ing unit, field programmable gate array, programmable logic
`device, state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digi-
`tal circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals
`(analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions.
`The memory may be a single memory device or a plurality
`of memory devices. Such a memory device may be a
`read-only memory,
`random access memory, volatile
`memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic
`memory, flash memory, and/or any device that stores digital
`information. Note that when processing module 100 imple-
`ments one or more of its functions via a state machine,
`analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the
`memory storing the corresponding operational instructions
`is embedded with the circuitry comprising the state machine,
`analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.
`
`[0037] Up-converter 94 converts modulated signals 110
`into RF signals based on local oscillator 96. Power amplifier
`97 amplifies these signals which may be subsequently
`bandpass filter 98. The filtered RF signals are then trans-
`mitted via antenna 102 as outbound RF signals 110 to host
`device 16. As long as the piconet is established to include
`wearable microphone 14 and host device 16, wearable
`microphone 14 will transmit to host device 16 in the manner
`just described.
`
`[0038] As shown in both FIGS. 4 and 5, separable con-
`nector 112 may couple setup modules 76 and 92. Such a
`physical connection allows for wearable earpiece 12 and
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`wearable microphone 14 to communicate in both directions
`with the host device to establish the piconet. For example, if
`the devices are compliant with one or more versions of the
`Bluetooth specification, host device 16, functioning as the
`master, may issue a piconet request to wearable earpiece 12
`coupled to wearable microphone 14. Upon receiving this
`request, wearable earpiece 12 and wearable microphone 14
`respond to the request indicating that a receive RF channel
`(communication pathway 18) be setup for the wearable
`earpiece and a transmit RF channel (communication path-
`way 20) be setup for wearable microphone 14. Based on
`these responses, the master coordinates the establishment of
`the piconet and provides
`synchronization information
`through wearable earpiece 12 and wearable microphone 14
`via receiver module 40 of earpiece 12. Setup modules 76 and
`92 coordinate the synchronization of earpiece 12 and micro-
`phone 14 with the host device, as well as coordinating
`timeslot assignments and/or SCO link assignments. Once
`the piconet has been established in this manner, the connec-
`tion between wearable earpiece 12 and wearable micro-
`phone may be secured to establish the wearable earpiece 12
`and wearable microphone 14 as separate pieces.
`
`[0039] As an alternative setup mode, wearable earpiece
`12, wearable microphone 14 may be directly coupled to the
`host device. The direct coupling may be used to establish the
`piconet and exchange synchronization information, timeslot
`allocation information, etc. Once the information has been
`exchanged in this manner, the connections may be broken
`such that wearable earpiece 12, wearable microphone 14 and
`host device 16 are physically separate devices.
`
`[0040] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate schematic block diagrams
`of wearable earpiece 12 and wearable microphone 14 that
`include transceiver modules (i.e., receiver modules and
`transmitter modules). The use of the transceiver modules
`allow wearable earpiece 12, wearable microphone 14 and
`host device 16 to be physically separate devices and be
`configured using the piconet’s RF communications. As such,
`wearable earpiece 12 and wearable microphone 14 may be
`continuously worn on a person for receiving incoming calls
`and/or placing outgoing calls.
`
`[0041] Wearable earpiece 12, as shown in FIG. 5, includes
`antenna 46, transmit/receive switch 122, receiver module
`40, data recovery module 42, speaker module 44, transmitter
`module 120, input module 128 and display module 132.
`Receiver module 40, data recovery module 42 and speaker
`module 44 operate as discussed with reference to FIG. 4,
`with the exception of the data recovery module 42,
`to
`produce display information that
`is provided to display
`module 132. For instance,
`the received RF signal may
`include display information such as caller ID, command
`information, etc. which is separated by data recovery mod-
`ule 42 and provided to display module 132, which may be
`an LCD display, plasma display, etc.
`
`Input module 128, which may be a keypad, touch
`[0042]
`screen, voice recognition circuit, or other like user inter-
`faces, receives user commands and produces digital com-
`mand messages 124 there from. Such digital command
`messages 124 includes, but are not limited to, packet size,
`synchronization information, frequency hopping initiation
`information, timeslot allocation information, link establish-
`ment
`information, piconet address information, fast-for-
`ward, play, pause, volume adjust, record, stop and rewind.
`
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`[0043] Data recovery module 42 receives digital com-
`mand messages 124 and, when applicable, processes the
`command messages. For example, if the command message
`is with respect to a volume adjust; a graphical representation
`of adjusting the volume may be presented on display module
`132 and the gain of amplifier 64 adjusted to adjust the
`volume associated with speaker 66.
`
`[0044] Transmit module 120 receives digital command
`messages 124 and converts these messages into outbound
`RF command signals 126, which are subsequently transmit-
`ted to host device 16 and/or microphone module via antenna
`46. Accordingly, by including transmitter module 120 along
`with receiver module 40, wearable earpiece 12 may function
`as a master and/or slave within the piconet and exchange
`data with the other elements within the piconet.
`
`[0045] FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of wearable
`microphone 14 that includes audio input module 80, trans-
`mitter module 82, transmit receive switch 122, antenna 102,
`receiver module 132, input module 140 and display module
`138. Input module 140 is operable to receive user input
`commands 142 and convert these commands into digital
`command messages 144. Digital command messages 144
`may be similar to digital command messages 124 and may
`further include establish a call, terminate a call, call waiting,
`or other like functions. Transmitter module 82 converts
`
`digital command messages 144 into RF command signals
`134 that are transmitted via antenna 102. Similarly, inbound
`RF command signals 135 may be received by receiver
`module 132 via antenna 102. Display module 138, which
`may be a LCD display, plasma display, etc., receives digital
`command messages 136 and may display corresponding
`configuration messages. In addition, any display information
`received from the host and/or microphone module regarding
`setup, operation, or as part of the data content, may be
`displayed on display module 138.
`
`[0046] FIGS. 8-10 illustrate various configurations for
`piconet 149. In FIGS. 8-10, the piconet includes host device
`16, wearable earpiece 12 and wearable microphone 14. In
`FIG. 8, wearable microphone 14 functions as the master
`such that, as the master, wearable microphone 14 establishes
`and breakdowns the piconet, provides synchronization infor-
`mation and perform timeslot allocations and/or establish
`multiple SCO links with host device 16 and wearable
`earpiece 12. In FIG. 9, host device 16 has master respon-
`sibilities, whereas in FIG. 10, wearable earpiece 12 has
`master responsibilities. As such, by configuring wearable
`earpiece 12 and wearable microphone 14, as discussed in
`FIGS. 6 and 7, wearable earpiece 12 and wearable micro-
`phone 14 may be completely physically separate devices
`from each other and from the host device. Alternatively, as
`discussed with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the wearable
`earpiece and wearable microphone may be physically
`coupled to establish piconet 140. Once piconet 140 is
`established, the devices may be physically separated and
`communicate with host device 16 via separate RF commu-
`nication pathways as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
`
`[0047] FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of modular
`communication device 150, such as a wireless terminal (e. g.,
`cell phone)
`that
`includes host module 152, detachable
`microphone 154 and detachable earpiece 156.
`In this
`embodiment, modular communication device 150 may func-
`tion as a typical device (e.g., cellular telephone, CD player,
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`cassette player, etc.) when detachable earpiece 156 and
`detachable microphone 154 are physically connected to host
`module 152. The detachable earpiece may be configured as
`shown in FIG. 4 or 6, and the detachable microphone may
`be configur