`
`
`
`54) VOICE CONTROLLED MULTIMEDIA AND
`COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE
`
`Inventor: Martin Schrager, Boca Raton, FL (US)
`a
`.
`
`Assignee: an Associates, Inc., Boca Raton, FL
`(US)
`4.
`.
`Subjectto any disclaimer,the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`USC. 154(b) by 876 days.
`
`Notice:
`
`Appl. No.: 10/215,872
`
`Filed:
`
`Aug. 9, 2002
`
`75)
`
`73)
`
`*)
`
`21)
`
`22)
`
`51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`HO4M 1/00
`5) USC... 455/556.1: 455/563; 379/88.01
`58)
`Field of Classification Search............. 379/88.01,
`379/88.02, 88.03, 88.04, 102.01, 102.02
`2
`2
`2
`2
`>
`379/102.03; 455/420, 563, 41.1, 418, 419,
`455/556.1; 704/246, 270.1, 275
`fi
`let
`h history.
`lication
`file
`Se acre PIS SENSO
`References Cited
`
`S
`
`(56)
`
`United States Patent
`US 7,072,686 B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`(12)
`Schrager
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Jul. 4, 2006
`
`
`US007072686B1
`
`6,226,532 Bl
`6,236,969 BL
`6,240,302 B1
`6,246,935 Bl
`6,285,357 BL
`6,285,867 BL
`6,332,084 Bl
`6,339,706 BL
`6,345,179 Bl
`6,381,452 Bl
`6,381,469 BL
`6,397,186 Bl
`6,611,681 B1*
`6,728,632 BL*
`2001/0012998 Al
`
`5/2001 Kim et al. wee 455/563
`5/2001 Ruppert et al... 704/275
`.. 455/556.1
`5/2001 Harrison...
`
`6/2001 Buckley sueeserieeeereeeees 701/36
`9/2001 Kushiro et al.
`............. 345/169
`............ 455/404.1
`9/2001 Boling et all.
`
`12/2001 Shaanan et al... 455/556
`‘1/2002. Tilllgren et al.
`............. 455/419
`2/2002 Wiegers et al.
`..
`. 455/344
`
`4/2002 Tien et al.
`seeceseeccssseoe 455/344
`4/2002, Wojick vce 455/550.
`w..cecceene 704/274
`5/2002 Bush et al.
`
`8/2003 Henderson... 455/413
`4/2004 Medl ve.esceeesseeseee 701/207
`8/2001 Jouet et al.
`...
`. 704/248
`
`.............. 704/201
`2/2002 Kikinis et al.
`2002/0019732 Al
`6/2002 Lemayet al. ............. 381/110
`2002/0071577 Al
`6/2002 Yen et al.
`.....
`. 704/270
`2002/0072912 Al
`
`,
`P
`7/2002 Hellwig et al... 704/201
`2002/0091511 Al*
`11/2002 O’Grady et al.
`............ 323/371
`2002/0175665 Al*
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1100243 A2*
`5/2001
`
`EP
`
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner—Ovidio Escalante
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Akerman Senterfitt
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,034,164 A
`T1977 Westmoland ............ 369/11
`f
`7
`>
`A portable multimedia and communications device can
`4,654,883 A
`3/1987 Iwata panna 381/380
`
`includ
`t
`due}
`1
`t
`fi
`oe
`4. Th
`.. 381311
`4,845,751 A
`7/1989 Schwab ...
`8/1994 Uchikura ....sscecccceseeee 379/53 Mele a Transcucive element
`5,337,346 A
`for receving soune.
`ie
`5.371.901 A
`12/1994 Reed et al.
`ccessseccccssssseee 455/69
`device also can include a base unit having a plurality of
`5,590,417 A
`12/1996 Rydbeck 2... sees 455/575.2
`multimedia units and a processor executing a speech recog-
`5,627,547 A
`5/1997 Ramaswamyet al.
`. 342/357.08
`nition engine for recognizing user speech. Each of the
`5,771,438 A
`6/1998 Palermo etal. oo... 455/41.1
`plurality of multimedia units can be selectively enabled and
`
`« 455/306
`5,794,164 A
`8/1998 Beckert etal.
`.
`operated responsive to user voice commandsreceived via
`5,963,872 A
`10/1999 SHOU eeseeseesseeeersesnnneen 455/557
`the transducive element and communicatedto the base unit
`6,067,278 A
`5/2000 Owenset al. 0... 704/270
`via a communication link.
`6,078,825 A
`..
`vee 455/569.2
`(2000 Hahnet al.
`
`10/2000 Leeetal. wo 455/556.1
`6,131,042 A
`6,223,060 Bl
`4/2001 Tamir et al. oo... 455/569.2
`
`51 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`t
`ie
`pie
`
`
`
`
`
`Headset Unit
`105
`Transducive
`Speaker
`Element
`
`
`
`
`120
`125
`
`
`
`Processor
`"
`Trancoower
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`>
`
`Trensperser
`
`GPS RecoWver
`
`
`Base Unit
`
`
`110
`195
`
`
`
`
`180 oe
`150
`15),
`
`aenoonion
`
`Taeptee
`Memory
`Engine
`| AN/FM Radio
`
`COPlayer LJ LJ
`Tuner
`
`AM/FM Radio —
`interface
`197
`
`100
`
`A
`
`<
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1101
`
`APPLE 1101
`
`1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 4, 2006
`
`Sheet 1 of 3
`
`US 7,072,686 B1
`
`100
`
`Headset Unit
`105
`
` Speaker
`120
`
`
`Transducive
`Element
`
`125
`
`
`
`
`
`Processor
`
`130 Wireless
`
`
`Transceiver
`
`135
`
`140
`
`
`115
`
`Base Unit
`110
`
`195
`
`180
`
`
`
`
`
`Wireless
`
`Processor
`Transceiver
`150
`
`145
`
`
`Speech
`
`
`Recognition
`Wireless
`
`
` Engine Telephone
`
`185
`
`
`165
` AM/FM Radio
`155
` Transponder
`175 AM/FM Radio
`
`CD Player
`
`Tuner
`170
`
`199 GPS Receiver
`
`Interface
`197
`
`FIG. 1
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 4, 2006
`
`Sheet 2 of 3
`
`US 7,072,686 B1
`
`Power on
`
`205
`
`to Receiveuserspeech?
`
`210
`
`Yes
`
`Receive user speech
`
`225
`215
`
`Process speech
`220
`
`Send audio data to
`base unit
`
`Baseunit receives
`wireless transmission
`
`230
`
`Speech command?
`235
`
`No
`
`Yes
`
`
`
`Determine operational
`mode
` 240
`
`Voice
`Memo
`
`cD
`Player
`
`Telephone
`
`Short
`distance
`radio
`
`Wireless
`
`GPS
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 4, 2006
`
`Sheet 3 of 3
`
`US 7,072,686 B1
`
`300
`
`Receive wireless
`communication
`
`305
`
`310
`
`Interrupt current
`function
`315
`
`
`Provide audio promptto
`user
`
`320
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Notify base unit
`processor
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Answer communication?
`325
`330
`
`
`Switch operational
`mode
`
`
`Execute
`
`communications
`
`
`Complete wireless
`communication
`345
`
`
`
`Switch operational
`mode
`350
`
`
`Resume previous
`function
`
`Ignore communication
`335
`
`340
`
`
`
`355
`
`FIG. 3
`
`4
`
`

`

`US 7,072,686 B1
`
`1
`VOICE CONTROLLED MULTIMEDIA AND
`COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE
`
`BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION
`
`
`
`1. Technical Field
`The present invention relates the field of portable com-
`munications devices.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Asconsumers continue to demand mobile access to many
`computing and communications services, technology con-
`tinues to evolve to accommodate consumer demand.Ideally,
`consumers prefer to have access to most, if not all, of the
`same computing functions presentlyavailable at homeorthe
`office despite being away from such resources. In response
`o consumer demand, a wide variety of portable electronic
`devices have become commercially available. For example,
`individuals can track and store a variety of personal infor-
`nation using conventional personal digital assistants, com-
`nunicate with friends, family, and business contacts using
`cellular telephones, and listen to music through portable
`radios, compact disc (CD) players, and/or Motion Picture.
`Experts Group-1 Audio Layer 3 (MP3) players. A variety of
`other portable devices such as portable short distance radios
`and globalpositioning system (GPS)receivers are available
`© consumers as well.
`
`The majority of commercially available portable devices
`are sold as single function units. That is,
`the consumer
`typically must purchase a music player separately from a
`cellular telephone, or a citizen band radio separately from a
`GPSreceiver. Typically, consumers must carry a plethora of
`electronic devices should the consumer wish to travel with
`calendaring, music, communications, andthe like. Even in
`cases where one or more of these devices are available in
`various combinations within a single unit, frequently, no
`single combination device is able to meet the consumer’s
`full range of needs.
`Although each device may not be burdensometo operate
`alone, when used in combination with one or more other
`devices, the consumer can be overwhelmed with connec-
`tions, wires, cables, and attachments. To better organize the
`various electronic devices a consumer may carry, several
`varieties of carry-alls or electronic device organizers are
`available. Still, as the benefit of using a portable electronic
`device is the immediacy and ease with whichthe different
`functions of the device can be accessed, storing the device
`in a carry-all may not prove to be convenient. For example,
`by the time a consumeris able to locate a ringing cellular
`telephone within a carry-all, the call may be missed. Bythe
`time onefinds a personal digital assistant within a carry-all,
`the opportunity to use the soughtafter information may have
`passed.
`Assuming that a consumer is able to carry each of the
`various portable electronic devices that the consumer needs
`or desires, the consumerstill must have one or more hands
`free in order to operate any given device. With respect to
`travelers, however, this is not often the case. More than
`likely, travelers use one or both hands to carry luggage, a
`carry-on bag, or possibly a personal digital assistant. To
`operate any of the traveler’s portable electronic devices, the
`traveler may have to stop, put down one or more bags,
`search for the device, and only then proceed to use the
`desired device.
`
`Other users, for example individuals who enjoy walking,
`jogging, hiking, bicycling, motorcycling, boating, or other
`activities, also rely upon portable electronic devices such as
`GPSunits, music players, cellular telephones, voice memo
`
`me 0
`
`me 5
`
`20
`
`2
`pads, and the like when engaged in sports or other outdoor
`activities. Such individuals, however, not only must have
`one or more free hands to operate a given device, but also
`must beable to divert their attention away from an ongoing
`activity to operate the device. For example, the user typi-
`cally must watch a dial or display as a radio is tuned,as a
`volumeis adjusted, and the like. The use of ones eyes and
`hands, however, can cause a break in rhythm and concen-
`
`tration and may even cause an accident.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`invention provides a solution for persons
`The present
`requiring access to a variety of multimedia, communica-
`tions, and computing functions from a single electronic
`device. In particular, the present invention provides a por-
`table electronic device which can include one or more of an
`AM/FMradio, a music player, a short distanceradio, a voice
`memopad, a cellular telephone, a global positioning system
`(GPS)receiver, an AM/FM radio interface, and a transpon-
`der (hereafter collectively referred to as “multimedia units”).
`Importantly, each of the various multimedia units not only
`can be included within a single, portable device, but also can
`be operated in a hands-free manner through the use of voice
`commands and speech recognition technology. Although the
`device can be embodied in a variety of forms, according to
`one inventive arrangement,
`the device can be modular,
`wearable, and weatherresistant.
`Oneaspectof the present invention can include a portable
`multimedia and communications device. The device can
`
`include a transducive element for receiving sound. Accord-
`ing to one arrangement,
`the transducive element can be
`disposed in a first headset unit which can include a sound
`generation source and a short range wireless transceiver. The
`device also can include a base unit having a plurality of
`multimedia units and a processor executing a speech recog-
`nition engine for recognizing user speech. Notably,
`the
`speech recognition engine can be switched between a
`speaker-independent operational mode and a speaker-depen-
`dent operational mode responsive to a control signal, for
`example a user spoken utterance.
`The device can be voice enabled such that each of the
`
`multimedia units can be selectively enabled and operated
`responsive to user voice commandsreceived via the trans-
`ducive element and communicated to the base unit via a
`
`45
`
`communication link. Notably, the base unit can include a
`second short range wireless transceiver for communicating
`with the short range wireless transceiver of the headset unit.
`Accordingly,
`the communication link can be a wireless
`communication link. Still, the transducive element, or the
`headset unit depending upon the particular embodiment of
`the present invention, can be connected to the base unit via
`a wired connection.
`
`According to one aspect of the present invention, respon-
`sive to activating one of the plurality of multimedia units,
`the processor can disable anotheractive oneof the plurality
`of multimedia units by lowering an audio volume of the
`other active multimedia unit or pausing operation of the
`other active multimedia unit. Responsive to terminating use
`of the activated multimedia unit, the processor can re-enable
`the other active one of the plurality of multimedia units.
`For example, one of the multimedia units can be a
`wireless telephone. Thus, responsive to the wireless tele-
`phonereceiving a telephone call, the processor can disable
`an active one of the multimedia units. For instance, the
`processorcan disable an active multimedia unit by lowering
`an audio volumeofthe active multimedia unit or by pausing
`
`5
`
`

`

`
`
`3
`operation of the active multimedia unit. Responsive to
`erminationofthe telephonecall, the processor can re-enable
`he active multimedia unit.
`
`Taking another example, a second one of the multimedia
`nits can be a short distance radio. In that case, responsive
`o the short distance radio receiving a wireless communica-
`ion, the processor can disable an active one of the multi-
`nedia units. The processor can disable an active multimedia
`nit by lowering an audio volumeof the active multimedia
`nit or by pausing operation of the active multimedia unit.
`Responsive to termination of the wireless communication,
`he processor can re-enable the active multimedia umit.
`Still, the present invention can include additional multi-
`nedia units. For example, the present invention can include,
`but
`is not
`limited to, multimedia units such as a GPS
`receiver, an AM/FM radio tuner, an audio player, a compact
`disc player, a digital software-based media player, a cassette
`player, a voice recorder memo pad, an AM/FMradio inter-
`face, and a transponder.
`Another embodimentof the present invention can include
`at least a second headset unit configured similarlyto thefirst
`eadset unit. The first headset unit and the second headset
`nit can communicate with one another through the base
`nit via wireless communication links.
`
`Another aspect of the present invention can include a
`nethod of operating a voice activated, portable multimedia
`and communicationsdevice. The method can includereceiv-
`ing a user spoken utterance in a transducive element. The
`ransducive element can be included within a headset unit.
`The user spoken utterance can be transmitted to a base unit
`via a wired connection or a short distance wireless commu-
`
`ication link. The user spoken utterance can be speech
`recognized as a valid voice command. Accordingly, one of
`he multimedia units disposed in the base unit can be
`selectively enabled responsive to identifying the user spoken
`tterance as a valid voice command. Notably, the method
`can include switching between a speaker-independentopera-
`ional mode and a speaker-dependent operational mode
`responsive to a control signal such as a voice command.
`The method can include activating oneof the plurality of
`nultimedia units, and responsive to the activating step,
`disabling anotheractive one ofthe plurality of multimedia
`nits. For example, the disabling step can include lowering
`an audio volume of the other active multimedia unit or
`pausing operation of the other active multimedia unit.
`Responsive to terminating use of the activated one of the
`plurality of multimedia units, the other active one of the
`plurality of multimedia units can be re-enabled.
`According to one embodimentof the present invention,
`he voice command can activate an intercom operational
`node. In that case,
`the method can include receiving a
`subsequent user spoken utterance in the base unit from the
`eadset unit via a wireless communication link. The user
`spoken utterance can be forwarded to a second headset unit
`via a second wireless communication link.
`Still, one of the multimedia units can be a wireless
`telephone. Accordingly, the method can include receiving a
`telephonecall in the wireless telephone and playing an audio
`notification through the headset unit indicating that the call
`has been received. For example, the audio notification can
`play a nameassociated with the received telephone call or a
`calling telephone numberof the received call. Notably, the
`audio notification can query the user whether to answer the
`received telephone call. If another one of the multimedia
`units is active when the telephone call
`is received,
`the
`method further can include, responsive to receiving the
`telephone call, disabling the active multimedia unit. The
`
`US 7,072,686 B1
`
`4
`active multimedia unit can be disabled by lowering an audio
`volumeof the active multimedia unit or by pausing opera-
`tion of the active multimedia unit. Responsive to terminating
`the telephone call, the active multimedia unit can be re-
`enabled. The method also can include determining that a
`calling number
`for the received telephone call
`is not
`includedin a contact list and querying a user whetherto save
`the received call information.
`According to another embodiment of the present inven-
`tion, one of the multimedia units can be a short distance
`radio. In that case the method caninclude receiving a short
`distance radio communication in the short distance radio and
`
`providing an audio notification to the headset unit indicating
`that
`the short distance radio communication has been
`
`received. For example, the user can be queried as to whether
`the received short distance radio communication should be
`answered. If another one of the multimedia units is active
`when the short distance radio communication is received.
`the method also can include, responsive to receiving the
`short distance radio communication, disabling the active
`multimedia unit. For example, the active multimedia unit
`can be disabled by lowering an audio volumeofthe active
`multimedia unit or by pausing operation of the active
`multimedia unit. Responsive to terminating the short dis-
`tance radio communication, the active multimedia unit can
`be re-enabled. Notably, if one of the plurality of multimedia
`units is a wireless telephone and another oneofthe plurality
`of multimedia units is a short distance radio, the method can
`include exchanging audio between the wireless telephone
`and the short distance radio.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`
`
`There are shown in the drawings embodiments which are
`presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the
`invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and
`instrumentalities shown.
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic diagramillustrating a voice-con-
`trolled multimedia and communications device in accor-
`
`dance with the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.
`FIG.2 is a flow chart illustrating a method of communi-
`cating between the headset unit and the base unit of the
`voice-controlled multimedia and communications device of
`FIG.1.
`
`FIG.3 is a flow chart illustrating a method of receiving
`and processing wireless communications in accordance with
`the present invention.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`invention provides a solution for persons
`The present
`requiring hands-free control over a variety of multimedia,
`communications, and computing functions contained within
`a single electronic device. In particular, the present invention
`providesa portable electronic device which can include one
`or more of an AM/FMradio, a musicplayer, a short distance
`radio, a voice memo pad, a cellular telephone, a global
`positioning system (GPS) receiver, an AM/FMradio inter-
`face, and a transponder(hereafter collectively referred to as
`“multimedia units”). Importantly, each of the various mul-
`timedia units can be operated in a hands-free manner
`through the use of voice commands. Although the device can
`be embodied in a variety of forms, according to one inven-
`tive arrangement, the device can be modular, wearable, and
`weather resistant.
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic diagramillustrating a voice-con-
`trolled multimedia and communications device (VCMCD)
`
`20
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`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
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`
`50
`
`60
`
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`
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`
`

`

`US 7,072,686 B1
`
`me 0
`
`me 5
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`5
`100 in accordance with the inventive arrangements disclosed
`herein. As shown, the VCMCD 100 can include two primary
`components, a headset unit 105 and a base unit 110. The
`headset unit 105 and the base unit 110 can communicate
`with one anothervia a wireless communicationlink 115. The
`
`headset unit 105 can include a speaker 120 or other sound
`generator, a transducive element 125, a processor 130, a
`wireless transceiver 135, and an antenna 140. The speaker
`120 can be disposed in an earpiece portion of the headset
`unit 105 to provide audio output when the headset 105 is
`worn by a user. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the headset
`unit 105 can include additional speakers so as to provide
`stereo sound. Accordingly,
`the headset can include two
`earpiece portions, each having a speaker disposed therein.
`The transducive element 125, for example a microphone,
`can be attached to the headset unit 105. For example,
`according to one embodiment of the present invention, the
`transducive element 125 can be located on an arm whichis
`rotatablyattachedto the earpiece so as to swing up and away
`from a user’s face when not in use. Still, the transducive
`element 125 can beattached to the headsetin any ofa variety
`of different forms. For instance, the transducive element can
`be disposed within a clip-on apparatus whichcan clip onto
`a user’s clothing. In that case, the transducive element 125
`can be communicatively linked to the headset unit 105 via
`a wired connection.In the event the transducive element 125
`
`
`
`is located as a separate component from the headset unit
`105, the transducive element 125 can be communicatively
`linked to the base unit 110 via a wireless or wired connec-
`tion.
`
`Continuing with FIG. 1, the speaker 120 and the trans-
`ducive element 125 can be communicatively linked to the
`processor 130. The processor 130 can perform a variety of
`audio processing and routing functions, as well as serve as
`an interface between the speaker 120, the transducive ele-
`ment 125, and the wireless transceiver 135. In particular, the
`processor 130 can perform analog-to-digital (A/D) conver-
`sions of audio signals received from the transducive element
`125 and perform digital-to-analog (D/A) conversions of
`audio so as to provide a suitable audio signal to the speaker
`120.
`
`As mentioned, the processor 130 further canroute signals
`among the various components of the headset unit 105. In
`particular,
`the processor 130 can receive audio signals,
`control signals, and other data originating from the base unit
`110 throughthe wireless transceiver 135. The processor 130
`can separate audio signals from the various control signals,
`D/A convert the audio, and provide the audio to the speaker
`120. Similarly, the processor 130 can A/D convert audio
`signals received from the transducive element 125, and
`provide the converted audio in addition to any control
`signals and data to the wireless transceiver 135 for trans-
`mission to the base unit 110.
`It should be appreciated that the processor 130, although
`depicted as a single general purpose processor, can be
`embodied as one or more processors,
`including control
`processors and audio processors such as digital signal pro-
`cessing (DSP) units. The speaker 120 and the transducive
`element 125 can be communicatively linked to the processor
`130 via suitable circuitry. The processor 130 and the wire-
`less transceiver 135 also can be communicatively linked via
`circuitry, for example a communications bus capable of
`supporting two way communications.
`The wireless transceiver 135 can serve as an interface to
`
`the base unit 110. Specifically, the wireless transceiver 135
`can receive signals from the processor 130 and convert the
`signals for use with a suitable wireless communications
`
`6
`protocolfor transmission. Similarly, the wireless transceiver
`135 can receive signals from the base unit 110 and decode
`the signals using an appropriate wireless communications
`protocolprior to forwarding the signals to the processor 130.
`The wireless transceiver 135 can be embodied ina variety
`of forms. For example, the wireless transceiver 135 can be
`configured to communicate with the base unit 110 using
`sound wavesorinfrared light. According to one embodiment
`of the invention, however, radio waves, that is radio fre-
`quency (RF) communication can be used. Thus, the wireless
`transceiver 135 can provide a signal to antenna 140 for
`transmission to the base unit 110. The wireless transceiver
`
`135 can be configured to communicate with the base unit
`110 using any of a variety of short range wireless technolo-
`gies and/or protocols. For example, the wireless transceiver
`135 can utilize BLUETOOTHtechnology, another technol-
`ogy of the 802.11 family of wireless communication speci-
`fications, as well as other proprietary technologies.
`It should be appreciated, however, that the audio signal
`received from the transducive element 125 can be provided
`to the wireless transceiver 135 and transmitted in analog
`form. Accordingly, after the audio signal is received by the
`base unit 110, the processor 150, to be described in greater
`detail, can A/D convert the signal. In such an embodiment,
`audio and control signals transmitted from the base unit 110
`to the headset unit 105 can betransmitted in analog form as
`well. In that case. the headset 105 can include additional
`analog processing circuitry, including analog audio process-
`ing circuitry.
`According to another embodiment of the present inven-
`tion, the speaker 120, the transducive element 125, and the
`processor 130 can be communicatively linked to the base
`unit 110 (to be described herein in greater detail) via a
`suitable wired connection which can facilitate two way
`communications among the headset unit 105 and the base
`unit 110.
`On the exterior of the headset unit 105, one or more
`control buttons and/or switches can be included. The con-
`
`trols can be hardwired to perform one or more predeter-
`mined functions, or can be programmed through the base
`unit 110 to perform one or more of a variety of different
`functions. Alternatively, a software application executing on
`another computer system can be used to configure the
`VCMCD 100 using a charging cradle or other data link
`which communicatively links the headset unit 105, the base
`unit 110, and the separate computer system. Regardless, the
`controls can be assigned to perform functions such as
`interrupting the processor 130 so as to give precedence to
`audio input recetved from the transducive element 125,
`dialing 911, sending an emergency signal over the short
`distance radio, sending a transpondersignal, or awakening
`the VCMCD 100 from a power save or sleep mode. For
`example, activating a control can notify the VCMCD 100
`that speech to follow specifies a name for voice dialing oris
`to be recorded as a voice memo. Still, one or more controls.
`whether permanently configured or software configurable,
`can be included for accessing any of the various functionsto
`be described herein with reference to the base unit 110. For
`example, one or more control buttons can be dynamically
`assigned a function according to the operating state of the
`VCMCD 100.
`The base unit 110 of the VCMCD 100 can include a
`wireless transceiver 145, a processor 150, a compact disc
`(CD)player 155 or other music source, a short distance radio
`160, a wireless telephone 165, an AM/FMradio tuner 170,
`a GPSreceiver 175, an AM/FMradio interface, as well as a
`transponder 199. The wireless transceiver 145 can be
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`matched to the wireless transceiver 135 of the headset unit
`105 so as to support two-waywireless communications via
`antenna 180 as previously discussed. The transceiver 145
`can be communicatively linked to the processor 150 via
`suitable interface circuitry. Thus, the transceiver 140 can
`receive data from the processor 150, format data using the
`appropriate communications protocol, and send data to the
`headset unit 105 via the wireless communication link 115.
`Similarly, data received from the headset unit 105 over the
`wireless communication link 115 can be decoded and pro-
`vided to the processor 150.
`The processor 150 can be communicatively linked to the
`CD player 155, the short distance radio 160, the wireless
`elephone 165,
`the AM/FM radio tuner 170,
`the GPS
`receiver 175,
`the AM/FMradio interface 197, and the
`ransponder 199 via suitable circuitry such as a communi-
`cations bus 195. The communications bus 195 can support
`two way communication among each of the respecti
`components, thereby enabling the exchange of control sig-
`als as well audio data.
`The processor 150, similar to the processor 130 of the
`eadset unit 105, can include one or more general purpose
`processors and/or DSP units. The processor 150, however,
`can include a speech recognition engine 185. For example,
`he speech recognition engine 185 can be included in the
`nemory of processor 150 or can be included within an
`additional memory 190 whichis accessible by the processor
`150. In any case, the speech recognition engine 185 can
`receive digitized speech from the headset unit 105 and
`convert the received speech to text. The speech recognized
`ext can be processed to determine one or more voice
`commands which can be executed by the processor 150.
`Still, as discussed, the based unit 110 can receive analog
`signals from the headset unit 105 which can be decoded by
`he wireless transceiver 145. In that case, the analog signals
`can be A/D converted by the processor 150 for further
`processing such as speech recognition.
`The CD player 155 can be communicatively linkedto the
`processor 150 via the communications bus 195. Notably,
`additional audio sources such as tape players and other
`digital medial players including, but not limited to, minidisk
`players, Motion Picture Experts Group-1 Audio Layer 3
`MP3)players, and the like can be included inplace of, or
`in additionto, the CD player 155. According to one embodi-
`nent of the present invention, one or more software-based
`audio players can be included within the base unit 110.
`The short distance radio 160 can be anyofa variety of
`personal
`two-way short distance radio communications
`devices which can operate over distances of less than one
`nile and up to distances of tens of miles. For example, the
`short distance radio 160 can be configured to operate over
`one of the Citizen’s Band Radio Services, such as Citizen’s
`Band (CB) or Family Radio Service (FRS). Alternatively,
`the short distance radio 160 can be configured to operate
`over General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS), or some other
`short distance radio communications format.
`
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`The wireless telephone 165, for example a cellular tele-
`phone, the AM/FM radio tuner 170, and the GPS receiver
`175 are commercially available components. Notably, the
`AM/FMradio tuner 170 can be programmed with one or
`morepreset stations for both AM and FM bands. Eachof the
`various preset stations can be accessed via a suitable voice
`commandsuch as“preset 1”, “preset 2”, “next preset up”, or
`“next preset down”. Eachofthe respective components can
`be communicatively linked to the processor 150 via the
`communications bus 195. The transponder 199 can provide
`wireless communications for monitoring incoming signals
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`or sending outgoing signals such as a “beacon”signal which
`can be tracked by third parties for purposes of safety.
`Although the transponder 199 can include active compo-
`nents so that the transponder can receive and send signals
`which can be detected over longranges, the transponder 199
`also can include passive components enabling the transpon-
`der 199 to be detected by sensors within ranges of several
`feet. Notably, the transponder 199 can be configured to
`transmit coordinates as determined by the GPSreceiver 175
`in cases of emergency or periodically depending upon the
`VCMCD 100 configuration.
`The AM/FM radio interface 197 allows the base unit 110
`
`to be connected to a carradio, for example, via an antenna
`input or other standard connectoravailable on conventional
`car radios. Responsive to connecting the base unit 110 to a
`car radio via the AM/FMradio interface 197, the processor
`150 can direct audio output through the communications bus
`195 to the AM/FM radio interface 197. The AM/FMradio
`interface 198 enables a userto listen to audio received and
`
`generated by the VCMCD 100 through a high quality car
`audio systemrather than the headset unit 105.
`According to another embodiment of the present inven-
`tion, the headset unit 105 can be configured, or a separate
`and additional transducive element can be configured, with-
`out the speaker 120. As the audio originating from the base
`unit 110 can be played through the car audio system when
`the AM/FMradio interface 197 is engaged, no speaker need
`be included in the headset unit 105. For example, a wearable
`microphone such as a lapel microphone can be used. Such
`a microphone can be wirelessly connected to the base unit
`110 as described. Alternatively,
`the microphone can be
`connected to the base unit 110 via a wired connectionto a
`suitable audio jack disposed in the base unit 110 which can
`be connected to the processor 150 via suitable interface
`circuitry.
`The processor 150 can receive speech recognized text
`from the speech recognition engine 185 to compare against
`a grammar or vocabulary of recognizable words and/or
`voice commands. If a match exists, the processor 150 can
`determine an appropriate action. In particular, responsive