(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2006/0166716 A1
`
`Seshadri et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jul. 27, 2006
`
`US 20060166716A1
`
`(54) EARPIECE/MICROPHONE (HEADSET)
`SERVICING MULTIPLE INCOMING AUDIO
`STREAMS
`
`(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.:
`
`11/120,676
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`May 3, 2005
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/646,272, filed on Jan.
`24, 2005.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`H04M 1/00
`(52) use. .......................................................... 455/5752
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The present invention provides a modular wireless headset
`with which to service multiple incoming audio streams. This
`modular wireless headset includes a wireless microphone
`and wireless earpiece. The wireless earpiece may exchange
`radio frequency (RF) signals with a base unit and render
`content contained within the exchanged RF signals to a user.
`This wireless earpiece further includes a wireless interface,
`a processor, a speaker, a user interface, and an authentication
`module. The wireless interface allows the earpiece to wire-
`lessly communicate with the base unit. The processor recov-
`ers communications exchanged with the base unit that the
`speaker then renders audible. A user interface coupled to the
`processor may alert the user to any additional incoming
`audio communications. Having received the alert, the user
`may select between the communications. The authentication
`module allows the wireless earpiece and microphone to pair
`(forming the modular wireless headset) and register the
`headset with the base unit.
`
`10
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`
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`
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`
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`etc.
`
`
`
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`
`AUDIO STREAMS etc.
`
`1
`
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`
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`
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`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27, 2006 Sheet 1 0f 13
`
`US 2006/0166716 A1
`
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`
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`CELLULAR,
`
`NETWORKS
`etc.
`
`
`PLAYBACK DEVICES,
`AUDIO STREAMS efc.
`
`
`
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`
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`
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`

`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27, 2006 Sheet 2 0f 13
`
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`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27, 2006 Sheet 5 0f 13
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`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27, 2006 Sheet 9 0f 13
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`US 2006/0166716 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27, 2006 Sheet 10 0f 13
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`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27, 2006 Sheet 11 0f 13
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`US 2006/0166716 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Patent Application Publication Jul. 27, 2006 Sheet 13 0f 13
`
`US 2006/0166716 A1
`
`220
`
`Couple wireless components to
`
`base unit
`
`222
`
`Exchange registration information
`
`224
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`between base unit and wireless
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`accessible resources via the base
`
`
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`
`
`
`232
`
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`
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`
`FIG. 13
`
`14
`
`14
`
`

`

`US 2006/0166716 A1
`
`Jul. 27, 2006
`
`EARPIECE/MICROPHONE (HEADSET)
`SERVICING MULTIPLE INCOMING AUDIO
`STREAMS
`
`CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to
`US. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/646,272 entitled
`“EARPIECE/MICROPHONE (HEADSET) SERVICING
`MULTIPLE INCOMING AUDIO STREAMS,” by Nambi-
`rajan Seshadri, et al. filed on Jan. 24, 2005, and is incorpo-
`rated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. This
`Application is related to the following applications: appli-
`cation Ser. No. 10/981,418 entitled “UNIVERSAL WIRE-
`LESS MULTIMEDIA DEVICE,” by Nambirajan Seshadri,
`et al., filed on Nov. 4, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part
`of application Ser. No. 10/856,430 entitled “PROVIDINGA
`UNIVERSAL WIRELESS HEADSET,” by Nambirajan
`Seshadri, et al., filed May 28, 2004 which claims priority
`under 35 USC § ll9(e) to Provisional Application No.
`60/473,967 filed on May 28, 2003; and application Ser. No.
`10/981,418 is also a continuation-in-part of application Ser.
`No. 10/856,l24 filed May 28, 2004 which claims priority
`under 35 USC § ll9(e) to Provisional Application No.
`60/473,675 filed May 28, 2003; application Ser. No. 10/976,
`300 entitled “MODULAR WIRELESS MULTIMEDIA
`
`DEVICE,” by Nambirajan Seshadri, et al., filed on Oct. 27,
`2004, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.
`10/856,l24 entitled “MODULAR WIRELESS HEADSET
`AND/OR HEADPHONES,” filed May 28, 2004 which
`claims priority under 35 USC §
`ll9(e) to Provisional
`Application No. 60/473,675, filed on May 28, 2003; and
`application Ser. No. 10/976,300 is also a continuation-in-
`part of application Ser. No. 10/856,430 filed May 28, 2004
`which claims priority under 35 USC § ll9(e) to Provisional
`Application No. 60/473,967 filed May 28, 2003; application
`Ser. No.
`entitled “MODULAR EARPIECE/MI-
`CROPHONE THAT ANCHORS VOICE COMMUNICA-
`
`TIONS,” by Nambirajan Seshadri, et al., filed on May 3,
`2005, which claims priority under 35 USC § ll9(e) to
`Provisional Application No. 60/656,828 filed on Feb. 25,
`2005; application Ser. No.
`entitled “HANDOVER
`OF CALL SERVICED BY MODULAR EARPIECE/MI-
`CROPHONE BETWEEN SERVICING BASE POR-
`
`TIONS,” by Nambirajan Seshadri, et al., filed on May 3,
`2005, which claims priority under 35 USC § ll9(e) to
`Provisional Application No. 60/653,234 filed on Feb. 15,
`2005; application Ser. No.
`entitled “MODULAR
`EARPIECE/MICROPHONE (HEADSET) OPERABLE TO
`SERVICE VOICE ACTIVATED COMMANDS,” by Nam-
`birajan Seshadri, et al., filed on May 3, 2005, which claims
`priority under 35 USC § ll9(e) to Provisional Application
`No. 60/
`filed on Apr. 22, 2005; application Ser. No.
`entitled “BATTERY MANAGEMENT IN A
`MODULAR EARPIECE MICROPHONE COMBINA-
`
`TION,” by Nambirajan Seshadri, et al., filed on May 3,
`2005, which claims priority under 35 USC § ll9(e) to
`Provisional Application No. 60/646,270 filed on Jan. 24,
`2005; application Ser. No.
`entitled “PAIRING
`MODULAR WIRELESS
`EARPIECE/MICROPHONE
`
`(HEADSET) TO A SERVICED BASE PORTION AND
`SUBSEQUENT ACCESS THERETO,” by Nambirajan
`Seshadri, et al., filed on May 3, 2005, which claims priority
`under 35 USC § ll9(e) to Provisional Application No.
`
`60/646,437 filed on Jan. 24, 2005; application Ser. No.
`entitled “MANAGING ACCESS OF MODULAR
`
`WIRELESS EARPIECE/MICROPHONE (HEADSET) TO
`PUBLIC/PRIVATE SERVICING BASE STATION,” by
`Nambirajan Seshadri, et al., filed on May 3, 2005, which
`claims priority under 35 USC §
`ll9(e) to Provisional
`Application No. 60/646,235 filed on Jan. 24, 2005; appli-
`cation Ser. No.
`entitled “INTEGRATED AND
`DETACHABLE WIRELESS HEADSET ELEMENT FOR
`CELLULAR/MOBILE/PORTABLE
`PHONES
`AND
`
`AUDIO PLAYBACK DEVICES,” by Josephus A. Van
`Engelen, et al., filed on May 3, 2005, which claims priority
`under 35 USC § ll9(e) to Provisional Application No.
`60/646,465 filed on Jan. 24, 2005, all of which are incor-
`porated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002]
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0003] This invention generally relates to wireless com-
`munications and more particularly to providing secure and
`private access to servicing networks, to modular wireless
`headsets through public/private servicing base stations.
`
`[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. Not only have cellular telephones
`become very popular, but Wireless Local Area Networking
`(WLAN) devices have also proliferated. Thus, a single
`device may be able to wirelessly access multiple devices or
`networks. One standard for wireless networking, which has
`been widely accepted, is the Specification of the Bluetooth
`System, v. 1.0 (“Bluetooth Specification”). Wireless net-
`working has introduced many security and privacy issues.
`This is especially true of devices that service real
`time
`communications through these wireless networks.
`
`[0006] The Bluetooth Specification enables the creation of
`small personal area networks (PAN’s) where the typical
`operating range of a device is 100 meters or less. In a
`Bluetooth system, Bluetooth devices sharing a common
`channel sequence form a piconet. Two or more piconets
`co-located in the same area, with or without inter-piconet
`communications, is known as a scattemet.
`
`[0007] The Bluetooth Specification supports voice com-
`munications between Bluetooth enabled devices. When a
`
`pair of Bluetooth devices supports voice communication, the
`voice communications must be wirelessly supported in a
`continuous fashion so that carried voice signals are of an
`acceptable quality. One popular use of personal wireless
`networks couples a wireless headset(s) with cellular tele-
`phone(s), personal computer(s), and laptop(s), etc. The
`Bluetooth Specification provides specific guidelines for pro-
`viding such wireless headset functionality. However, the
`ability to service multiple incoming audio streams from
`these diverse resources is lacking.
`
`[0008] Bluetooth provides a headset profile that defines
`protocols and procedures for implementing a wireless head-
`15
`
`15
`
`

`

`US 2006/0166716 A1
`
`Jul. 27, 2006
`
`set to a device private network. Once configured, the headset
`functions simply 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 ter-
`minate calls. The Bluetooth Specification also defines cer-
`tain 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 monophonic audio
`of a quality without perceived audio degradation. Only one
`audio connection at a time is supported between the headset
`and audio gateway. The audio gateway controls the synchro-
`nous 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 established, valid speech exists on
`the SCO link in both directions. The headset profile offers
`only basic inoperability such that the handling of multiple
`calls or enhanced call functions at the audio gateway is not
`supported. Another limitation relates to the manner which
`Bluetooth devices service only single channel audio com-
`munications. In most cases, the Bluetooth device is simply
`a replacement for a wired headset. Simple headsets cannot
`service multiple audio sources.
`
`[0009] Thus, there is a need for improved servicing of
`multiple incoming audio streams operations by WLAN
`devices servicing audio or multimedia communications that
`provide additional user functionality and improved service
`quality.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0010] Embodiments of the present invention are directed
`to systems and methods that are further described in the
`following description and claims. Advantages and features
`of embodiments of the present invention may become appar-
`ent
`from the description, accompanying drawings and
`claims.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL
`VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`in
`[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a wireless headset
`accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
`
`[0012] FIG. 2 is a diagram of another modular wireless
`headset in accordance with one embodiment of the present
`invention;
`
`[0013] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a wireless headset operable
`to couple to various devices in accordance with one embodi-
`ment of the present invention;
`
`[0014] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a multi-channel
`wireless headset in accordance with one embodiment of the
`
`present invention;
`
`[0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an access
`point in accordance with one embodiment of the present
`invention;
`
`[0016] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of wireless
`earpiece in accordance with one embodiment of the present
`invention;
`
`[0017] FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a wireless
`microphone in accordance with one embodiment of the
`present invention;
`
`[0018] FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a wireless
`microphone in accordance with the present invention;
`
`[0019] FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a wireless
`microphone in accordance with the present invention;
`
`[0020] FIG. 10 is a logic diagram illustrating operation of
`a wireless headset
`in servicing multiple incoming audio
`streams;
`
`[0021] FIG. 11 is a diagram of a modular communication
`device in accordance with one embodiment of the present
`invention;
`
`[0022] FIG. 12 is a logic diagram of a method for servic-
`ing voice communication with a wireless headset in accor-
`dance with one embodiment of the present invention; and
`
`[0023] FIG. 13 is a logic diagram of a method for servic-
`ing voice communication with a wireless headset in accor-
`dance with one embodiment of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`[0024] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a modular wireless headset
`10 wirelessly coupled to base unit 16 through antennas 7.
`Modular wireless headset 10 includes wireless earpiece 12
`and wireless microphone 14. Wireless earpiece 12 commu-
`nicates wirelessly with microphone 14. However, wireless
`earpiece 12 and wireless microphone 14 may also physically
`couple to exchange information or establish an alternate
`communication pathway. Accordingly, earpiece 12 and
`microphone 14 may be separate communication devices.
`These distinct devices may couple to a headset frame 9.
`Frame 9 may include a shaped battery to both power and
`support the headset modules. Those devices may individu-
`ally communicate with base unit 16 via separate communi-
`cation pathways or through a single wireless interface con-
`tained either in the earpiece or microphone. As shown,
`earpiece 12 and microphone 14 may both communicate with
`base unit 16, which may be a cellular telephone, wire line
`telephone,
`laptop computer, personal computer, personal
`digital assistant, etc., using antennas 7 and transceiver
`(transmitter and/or receiver) 13 of FIG. 2 via a first com-
`munication pathway 18. The pathways between the micro-
`phone and headset may require the components to form a
`trusted pair. Base unit 16 may directly couple the headset to
`multiple playback devices, audio streams or voice commu-
`nication networks such as radio, cellular, wireless voice or
`packet data, public switched telephone networks (PSTN),
`private branch exchanges or others known to those skilled in
`the art. Such a connection may often require additional
`authentication. For example,
`in the case of cellular net-
`works, subscriber identification information is required.
`Additionally, as multiple audio sources are offered,
`the
`source(s) serviced may be selected by a user input, priority,
`predetermined preferences or other criteria known to those
`having ordinary skill in the art.
`
`System Information or Subscriber Identification
`[0025]
`Modules (SIM) identify the user (modular wireless headset
`of the subscriber to a network. Additionally the SIM module
`within a cellular telephone or wireless packet data network
`16
`
`16
`
`

`

`US 2006/0166716 A1
`
`Jul. 27, 2006
`
`terminal handles identification and provides data storage for
`user data such as phone numbers and network information.
`Thus, when the modular wireless headset contains a SIM
`module, the information therein may be used to interface the
`modular wireless headset with the cellular network through
`the base unit. The headset may also implement the higher
`layer protocols that allow the headset to directly own and
`control the voice communications serviced without the need
`
`for a private base unit that directly interfaces for a cellular
`telephone. The base unit interfaces and services the voice
`communication with the information provided by the modu-
`lar wireless headset allows through a blue tooth connection
`or short-range wireless connection as opposed to requiring a
`cellular wireless interface being dedicated to the wireless
`headset.
`
`[0026] FIG. 2 shows transceivers 13 and 15 as being
`external
`to the earpiece or microphone. However,
`those
`transceivers may be integrated within earpiece 12 and
`microphone 14. Base unit 16 is operable to establish a
`wireless pathway to earpiece 12 and/or microphone 14 that
`may involve another trusted relationship that is established
`after exchanging and completing registration information.
`This pathway may be direct or via another wireless compo-
`nent and pathway, such as pathway 21. For example, wire-
`less microphone 14 may communicate via base unit 16
`through a wireless pathway between earpiece 12 and base
`unit 16. Similarly, wireless earpiece 12 could communicate
`with base unit 16 through wireless microphone 14. Micro-
`phone 14 may communicate with the base unit 16 or
`earpiece 12 using transceiver (or transmitter) 15 of FIG. 2
`via communication pathway 20 or 21, respectively. Either or
`both earpiece 12 and microphone 14 may have a user
`interface 22. If the communication pathways are established
`in accordance with the Bluetooth specification, communi-
`cation resources 18, 20, and 21 may be different timeslot
`allocations on the same synchronous connection orientated
`(SCO) link, or may be separate SCO links.
`
`[0027] Earpiece 12 and microphone 14 both contain a
`pairing circuit. These pairing circuits are operable to pair the
`wireless earpiece and microphone when pairing information
`associated with the individual earpiece 12 and microphone
`14 compare favorably. If the pairing information associated
`with the individual earpiece 12 and microphone 14 com-
`pares unfavorably, these individual components may not
`pair to form a modular wireless headset. Pairing allows the
`microphone and earpiece, after the wireless earpiece and
`microphone are successfully paired, to establish a wireless
`connection between them. Also in the event that one of the
`
`modular components needs to be added or replaced to the
`modular wireless headset 10, this component would have to
`pair to the other components present.
`
`[0028] Pairing quite simply is the act of introducing two
`wireless devices to one another so that
`they can then
`communicate. Pairing enables the two or more wireless
`devices to join and become a trusted pair. Within a trusted
`pair, each device recognizes the other device(s). Then, each
`device can automatically accept communication and bypass
`the discovery and authentication process that normally hap-
`pen during an initial wireless interaction between devices.
`Once the trusted pair is established, some embodiments may
`require user authentication before other devices are allowed
`to enter into the trusted pair. This prevents, for example, a
`second wireless earpiece, not of the trusted pair,
`from
`
`establishing communications with wireless headset 10. This
`could result in an untrusted earpiece eavesdropping on the
`voice communication serviced by modular wireless headset
`10. Thus, pairing enables security and privacy for voice
`communications serviced by modular wireless headset 10.
`Additionally, some embodiments may only pair when a
`discoverability function associated with the wireless device
`is enabled. For example, the device may pair when physi-
`cally coupled or when a user toggles a pairing switch located
`on user interface 22. When the discoverability/pairing func-
`tion is not enabled, the wireless devices will not accept
`communications from unknown devices.
`
`[0029] User interface 22 may also allow a user to initiate
`call functions or network hardware operations. These call
`functions include call initiation operations, call conferencing
`operations, call forwarding operations, call hold operations,
`call muting operations, and call waiting operations. Addi-
`tionally, user interface 22 allows the user to access network
`interface functions, hardware functions, base unit interface
`functions, directory functions, caller ID functions, voice
`activated commands, playback commands and device pro-
`gramming functions. User interface 22 can be any combi-
`nations of a visual interface as evidenced by display 24,
`tactile interface as evidenced by buttons 26, and/or an audio
`interface.
`
`[0030] Each of these devices, earpiece 12, microphone 14
`and base unit 16, may support one or more versions of the
`Bluetooth Specification or other wireless protocols. A Blue-
`tooth “scattemet” is formed from multiple “piconets” with
`overlapping coverage. A user of modular wireless headset 10
`may establish communications with any available base unit
`16. Wireless headset 10 may have a minimal user interface
`22 where a single authenticate or register button initiates
`registration. Modular wireless headset 10 includes a regis-
`tration circuit. This registration circuit needs to reside in
`either or both the wireless microphone and wireless ear-
`piece. The registration circuit receives and exchanges reg-
`istration information with base unit 16. Once this informa-
`
`tion is exchanged, the modular wireless headset, as well as
`base unit 16, compares their registration information with
`the exchanged information to determine whether or not
`modular wireless headset 10 is authorized to use base unit
`
`16. Authorization will occur when the registration informa-
`tion within the modular wireless headset compares favorably
`to that of the base unit. This may involve accessing a
`third-party database in order to confirm where the base unit
`establishes communications between a servicing network,
`such as a cellular or public switch telephone network
`(PSTN) network, or a local authentication via a local data-
`base that may compare biometric, password user interface,
`VRS voice pattern recognition, encryption key/Donegal, in
`order to allow modular wireless headset 10 to access
`
`resources available through base unit 16.
`
`[0031] Registration may determine what resources the
`headset may access. For example, access may be granted to
`an available one cellular network but not a wireless packet
`data network. As previously stated, this access may also
`depend on SIM information being authenticated by the
`cellular network. Registration may require physically cou-
`pling modular wireless headset 10 to base unit 16 or estab-
`lishing wireless communications. In the case where wireless
`communications are established, this may require additional
`user input or proximity testing to authenticate and register
`17
`
`17
`
`

`

`US 2006/0166716 Al
`
`Jul. 27, 2006
`
`the modular wireless headset to the base unit. The base unit,
`as well as the modular wireless headset, may access memory
`either local or Via server or network to validate the regis-
`tration information associated with the other component.
`Thus, both the base unit and headset need to compare the
`registration information and result in a favorable comparison
`to complete a successful registration. This registration may
`require user approval in some instances. For example, where
`fees are required for access, the user may not authenticate
`registration to avoid the fee. Registration allows communi-
`cations to be automatically exchanged between the modular
`wireless headset and the base unit. This improves both
`security and privacy for communications serviced using the
`modular wireless headset.
`
`[0032] Wireless headset 10 may reside within the service
`coverage area of multiple base units. Thus, when headset 10
`enters (or powers up in) an area with more than one
`functioning wireless network, a user may depress authenti-
`cate button 26, use a voice command or other means to start
`the authentication/registration process. With the button
`depressed, the wireless headset attempts to establish com-
`munications with base unit 16. Subsequent authentication
`operations are required to have the wireless headset join the
`selected network. These subsequent operations may include
`prompting the user for selection of the network, evaluating
`SIM information, requiring that an entry be previously made
`in an access list to allow wireless headset 10 to join or
`otherwise complete the authentication operations (registra-
`tion).
`
`[0033] Once wireless headset 10 joins a respective net-
`work, headset 10 may service voice communications with
`the base unit via respective WLAN links. Such calls will be
`received and managed by base unit 16 or headset 10.
`Management duties for the calls may be divided between
`base unit 16 and headset 10. For example, upper level
`portions of the cellular protocol stack may be supported by
`the headset while the lower level portions are supported by
`the base unit. Integrated circuits in either headset 10 or base
`unit 16 support call functions. These call functions include,
`but are not limited to, call initiation and termination, call
`conferencing operations, call forwarding operations, call
`hold operations, call muting operations, or call waiting
`operations, and may be initiated through user interface 22.
`
`[0034] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a modular wireless headset
`that includes earpiece 12, microphone 14. This headset may
`also include display/camera 17, and portable touch-screen/
`whiteboard 19 to support net-meetings. Microphone 14,
`earpiece 12, display/camera 17 and portable touch-screen/
`whiteboard 19 may each be a separate physical device that
`communicates wirelessly when paired to form a modular
`wireless headset. Earpiece 12 is a separate device from
`microphone 14, that together function to provide the modu-
`lar wireless headset shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, earpiece
`12, microphone 14, display/camera 17, and a portable touch-
`screen/whiteboard 19 are separate communication devices
`that may individually communicate with base units via
`separate or shared communication pathways. A single com-
`munication pathway using time division may be used to
`communicate between earpiece 12, microphone 14, display/
`camera 17, portable touch-screen/whiteboard 19 and base
`units (base units 30-37 or access point 21). These commu-
`nications are secured by both pairing and registration.
`Encryption, validation, or other like methods known to those
`
`skilled in the art may also be used and support one-way or
`two-way audio, video or text communications. One way
`communications allow the headset to act as receivers to
`
`information, while two-way communications
`broadcast
`allow real-time voice communications, such as phone or
`radio communications, which may be augmented with data,
`text and video to support interactive net-meetings.
`
`[0035] Earpiece 12, once paired to form a modular wire-
`less headset and registered to a base unit, may automatically
`communicate with base unit 16 and attached resources. FIG.
`
`3 depicts those resources as a cellular telephone network,
`wire line telephone, Ethernet telephone, laptop computer,
`personal computer, personal digital assistant, etc, using
`transceiver (or receiver) 13 via a first communication path-
`ways 18. Base unit 16 may establish a wireless pathway to
`earpiece 12 or microphone 14. The microphone 14, once
`authorized or validated, may communicate with the base
`unit 16 using transceiver (or transmitter) 15 via a second
`communication pathway 20 or by sharing communication
`pathway 18 with earpiece 12. Display/camera 17 and por-
`table touch-screen/whiteboard 19 may communicate with
`the base unit 16 using transceivers (receivers and/or trans-
`mitters) 25 and 27 via communication pathways 21 and 23,
`respectively, or by relaying communications
`through
`another wireless component.
`
`If the communication pathways are established in
`[0036]
`accordance with the Bluetooth specification, communication
`resources may be different timeslot allocations on the same
`synchronous connection orientated (SCO) link, or may be
`separate SCO links. These communication pathways may be
`secured by encryption, validation, pairing, or other like
`means to secure the communications exchanged with the
`base unit. Validation or pairing may prevent unauthorized
`devices from communicatively coupling to the base unit.
`
`[0037] The quality of data provided to these devices may
`be adjusted according to which devices are actually present
`and supported. For example, audio quality can be improved
`and may even support stereo (multi-channel audio). This
`option may limit resources provided to microphone 14,
`display/camera 17, or whiteboard 19 to service multi-chan-
`nel audio. Another example may favor the use of only
`earphone 12 and display/camera 17 to render streamed video
`and audio content. To coordinate the presentation of both
`audio and video in such an example, earphone 12 and
`display/camera 17 and their received communications may
`be synchronized to provide a quality viewing experience.
`Similarly, to coordinate the presentation of multiple audio
`channels, earphones 12 may be synchronized in order to
`provide a quality experience. To coordinate the presentation
`of real-time two-way audio earphones 12 and microphone
`14 may be synchronized such that unacceptable delays do
`not exist within exchanged voice communications. This
`coordination ensures there is no undue delay between the
`presentations provided by these individual devices allowing
`the user to perceive a seamless presentation. This embodi-
`ment allows the headset to support net-meetings that require
`the delivery of complete Internet conferencing solutions
`with multi-point data conferencing, text chat, whiteboard,
`and file transfer, as well as point-to-point audio and video.
`Additionally, this allows the headset to coordinate the pre-
`sentation of these different media formats without necessar-
`
`ily requiring shared physical connections of these devices.
`18
`
`18
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`

`

`US 2006/0166716 A1
`
`Jul. 27, 2006
`
`[0038] Direct connectivity previously limited the physical
`structure that could be used for a wireless headset to support
`net-meetings. In many cases, this results in headsets that are
`cumbersome to use and uncomfortable to wear. The protocol
`used between modular components (base units, host devices,
`access points and other communicatively coupled devices)
`may allow the base unit to send data to each device in a
`coordinated manner that allows for the synchronized pre-
`sentation of multimedia content by the devices. Alterna-
`tively, the information may be supplied to one component
`and then distributed within the trusted pair devices that make
`up the modular wireless headset. For example, one embodi-
`ment may allocate a predetermined portion of each data
`transmission for each media format. This would allow base
`unit 16 to transmit the same data to each device, wherein
`each device only processes that content intended for that
`device. In another embodiment, base unit or access point
`comm