as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication 10) Pub. No.: US 2007/0147629 Al
`(43) Pub. Date: Jun. 28, 2007
`
`Chiloyan
`
`US 20070147629A1
`
`(54) USER CONFIGURABLE HEADSET FOR
`MONAURAL AND BINAURAL MODES
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor:
`
`John H. Chiloyan, Woodinville, WA
`(US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`BANNER & WITCOFF, LTD.
`ATTORNEYS FOR CLIENT NOS. 003797 &
`013797
`
`1100 13th STREET, N.W.
`SUITE 1200
`
`WASHINGTON, DC 20005-4051 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/313,824
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 22, 2005
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. CL
`(2006.01)
`HOAR 1/10
`(2006.01)
`HOAR 25/00
`(52) U.S. CMe
`ccssccssessssessseestenesensseeesee 381/74; 381/384
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A headsetis described that can be user-configured to be used
`in either monaural or binaural modes. The headset may
`include a first speaker for one ear, and a second speaker in
`an earpiece inserted in the headset body. The earpiece may
`be retractable, and upon removal from the headset,
`the
`headset may switch from monaural to binaural mode. The
`earpiece may communicate wirelessly with the headset, or
`may be coupled using a spring-loaded or manually retract-
`able wire. The headset may wirelessly detect the addition of
`a second headset, and may switch to binaural mode based on
`this addition.
`
`
`
`103
`
`APPLE 1044
`
`APPLE 1044
`
`1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jun. 28,2007 Sheet 1 of 9
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`US 2007/0147629 Al
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`
`
`104
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`106
`
`107
`
`103
`
`102 101
`103
`
`2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jun. 28,2007 Sheet 2 of 9
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`US 2007/0147629 Al
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`105
`
`104
`
`102
`
`101 4
`
`Fig. 3
`
`3
`
`

`

`
`107
`
`Fig. 4
`
`101
`
`104
`
`Patent Application Publication Jun. 28,2007 Sheet 3 of 9
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`US 2007/0147629 Al
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`103
`
`Fig. 5
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`4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jun. 28,2007 Sheet 4 of 9
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`US 2007/0147629 Al
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`103
`
`102 101
`
`--------------------.~--++-----------,
`\ ++.
`p-d----------+-------------------------4
`
`
`
`601
`
`107
`
`602
`
`_/
`
`Fig. 6
`
`701
`
`602
`
`702
`
`Fig. 7
`
`5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jun. 28,2007 Sheet 5 of 9
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`US 2007/0147629 Al
`
`801
`
`802
`
`q
`
`Fig. 8
`
`6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jun. 28,2007 Sheet 6 of 9
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`US 2007/0147629 Al
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`901
`
`
`
`
`7
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jun. 28,2007 Sheet 7 of 9
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`US 2007/0147629 Al
`
`START
`
`
`
`OPERATEIN
`FIRST MODE
`
`1001
`
`1002
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RECEIVE INPUT TO
`CHANGE MODE
`
`1003 —-~
`
`CHANGE MODE
`
`
`
`Fig. 10
`
`8
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jun. 28,2007 Sheet 8 of 9
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`US 2007/0147629 Al
`
`y 1100
`
`Volatile
`
`System Memory
`
`Non-Volatile
`
`Processing Unit
`
`Fig. 11
`
`
`
`Removable Storage
`
`1108
`
`4110
`Non-Removable Storage laf
`
`a
`
`|_41116
`
`[41114
`
`1112
`
`_
`
`Output Device (s)
`
`Input Device(s)
`
`Communication
`Connection(s)
`
`
`
`9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jun. 28,2007 Sheet 9 of 9
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`US 2007/0147629 Al
`
`102
`
`1202
`
`1201
`
`Fig. 12a
`
`1203
`
`1204
`
`Fig. 12b
`
`10
`
`

`

`US 2007/0147629 Al
`
`Jun. 28, 2007
`
`USER CONFIGURABLE HEADSET FOR
`MONAURAL AND BINAURAL MODES
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0001] Cellular telephones and other portable electronic
`devices have become ubiquitous in today’s world. It is not
`uncommon today for an individual to have a cell phone, a
`portable music player (such as an MP3 player), a personal
`data/digital assistant (PDA), and portable gaming deviceall
`jumbling about in a purse or pocket. The sheer volume of
`these portable devices actually works against their portabil-
`ity, as there are only so many things a user will wantto carry
`with them.
`
`[0002] To help alleviate the burden of carrying these
`devices around, manufacturers are beginning to consolidate
`more and more functionality. So it is now possible to have
`a cell phone that also doubles as a portable media player,
`PDA, or game device. The audio capabilities of such
`devices, however, have not been so readily combined.
`
`[0003] For example, while many cell phones are compat-
`ible with earpieces, such as those having an in-line micro-
`phone bud, these earpieces are monaural (e.g., heard by one
`ear), and do not provide the binaural quality and fidelity that
`some users prefer for listening to music. Somecell phones
`are compatible with traditional stereo headphones, but many
`users may be uncomfortable using such headphonesfor cell
`phonecalls. For example, a user might be on a businesscall
`at the office, and may not wish to give the appearance that
`they are listening to music, considered by most to be a
`recreational activity. Such a user could carry around an
`earpiece for phonecalls and a set of traditional headphones
`for listening to music, but that is cumbersome.
`SUMMARY
`
`[0004] This Summary is provided to introducea selection
`of concepts in a simplified form that are further described
`below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not
`intended to identify key features or essential features of the
`claimed subject matter, noris it intended to be used as an aid
`in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
`
`In one aspect of the features described herein, an
`[0005]
`audio headset may be provided for monaural use, such as a
`cell phonecall, and may be expandable for binaural use. A
`second earpiece may be removably attached to the headset
`during monaural use, and pulled from the headset and
`inserted in the user’s other ear for binaural use. In some
`
`aspects, the additional earpiece may be located within a
`compartment of the headset, and may be communicatively
`coupled to the headset via a wire or wireless connection. In
`some aspects, the headpiece may include interfaces, such as
`headphone jacks,
`to allow the insertion of one or more
`additional earpieces.
`
`In someaspects, the removable earpiece and head-
`[0006]
`set may include additional functionality when operating in
`stereo mode. For example, stereo signal controls on the
`headset may be revealed upon the removal of the earpiece,
`or exposed on the earpiece. The headpiece may include
`circuitry to detect the removal of the earpiece, and may
`automatically revert to stereo mode when the earpiece is
`removed.
`
`In some aspects, the second earpiece may wire-
`[0007]
`lessly communicate with the headset and/or the user’s cell
`
`phone, and mayincludecircuitry to duplicate the function-
`ality of the headset. The headset may be configured to
`wirelessly communicate with a first earpiece, such as the
`headset, during monaural use, and may dynamically add a
`second earpiece to the wireless communication when stereo
`communication is desired. Additional earpieces may be used
`to provide additional audio channels for the user.
`
`[0008] These and other features will be addressed in
`greater detail below.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG.1 illustrates an example headset incorporating
`[0009]
`various features described herein.
`
`FIG. 2 illustrates the FIG. 1 headset, with an
`[0010]
`earpiece extended away for stereo use.
`
`FIG.3 illustrates an example configuration of using
`[0011]
`the FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 headset.
`
`FIG. 4 illustrates a headset having multiple internal
`[0012]
`earpleces.
`
`FIG.5 illustrates a headset having communication
`[0013]
`interfaces, such as headphonejacks, for accepting additional
`earpleces.
`
`FIG. 6 illustrates a headset having a removable
`[0014]
`earpiece, a portion of which also serves as a stylus.
`
`[0015]
`
`FIG. 7 is a close-up view ofan earpiece.
`
`FIG. 8 is a close-up view of a headset having an
`[0016]
`earpiece removed.
`
`FIG.9 illustrates a communications environment in
`[0017]
`which one or more headsets may be used.
`
`FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a process using an
`[0018]
`expandable headset.
`
`FIG. 11 is a block diagram of basic electrical
`[0019]
`components that may be used in the headset and/or the
`earpieces described herein.
`
`[0020] FIGS. 12a and 12dillustrate example features of a
`headset being switchable betweenears.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`In the following description of the various aspects,
`[0021]
`reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which
`form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of
`illustration various features described herein may be prac-
`ticed. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be
`used and structural and functional modifications may be
`made.
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates an example headset that can be
`[0022]
`user configured for monaural or binaural use. As shown,
`headset 100 may include a body portion 101, which may be
`oval,
`rectangular, or of any desired shape suitable for
`encasing the components described herein. Headset 100 may
`include an ear clasp 102 to allow the headset 100 to be worn
`on a user’s ear. Clasp 102 may beof any desired configu-
`ration, and may include additional structure, such as a head
`wire, plastic support, neck loop,etc., to reach around or over
`a user’s head and hold the headset 100 in position over one
`of the user’s ears.
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`

`US 2007/0147629 Al
`
`Jun. 28, 2007
`
`[0023] Headset 100 may include one or more microphones
`103 to detect sounds. Microphone 103 may be a conven-
`tional microphone, or a directional microphone focused on
`an area where the user’s mouth is likely to be in use (e.g.,
`an area below the headset). Multiple microphone elements
`may be included to perform noise cancellation (e.g., by
`detecting sound emanating from other directions, and can-
`celing those sounds out).
`
`[0024] Headset 100 may also include a primary speaker
`element (not shown) to direct one audio channel of sound
`towards the user’s ear when the headset is in position. For
`example, the primary speaker element may be located on an
`opposite side from that shown in FIG. 1. Such a primary
`speaker may be of any type used for portable devices, such
`as cell phones or media players.
`
`[0025] Headset 100 may also include a secondary earpiece
`104, which may be a speaker designed for use in or with a
`person’s ear, such as an earbud-type earpiece. The secondary
`earpiece 104 may be another speaker elementthatis inserted
`into a recessed portion of headset body 101. The earpiece
`104 maybepartially or completely inserted into the recess.
`For example, the earpiece 104 maybepartially inserted into
`the recess and follow a contour of the body 101. Alterna-
`tively,
`the earpiece may be completely inserted into the
`recess such that the earpiece is enveloped by the body 101.
`
`[0026] The earpiece may be held in place in headset body
`101 in a variety of ways. For example, the earpiece 104 and
`body 101 recess may include mating ridges, with the ear-
`piece 104“snapped” into and out of place. Alternatively,
`earpiece 104 may be held in place by a friction mating
`surface, such as a rubberized edge and a rubberizedinterior
`surface to the recess. Alternatively, the earpiece may be held
`in place via a spring-loadedlatch, such as that used with SD
`memory cards, floppy disk drives, and such, wherein the
`earpiece 104 is snapped into place by pressing it into the
`recess, and released by pressing it into the recess again.
`
`[0027] The earpiece 104 mayalso be held in place by its
`communication wire 105. Wire 105 provides electrical sig-
`nals to the earpiece 104 when in use, and may be coiled
`within headset by a spring-loaded roller 106. The wire may
`be of any type suitable for headphone use. If desired, the
`wire maybea flat ribbon wire, which may be more suitable
`for ease in coiling. Other transmission technologies may be
`used as well, such as wireless, analog transmissions through
`bone,etc.
`
`[0028] The roller 106 may operate like a tape measure or
`window blind, and may wind up excess slack in wire 105 in
`an internal cavity within the body 101. Similarly, the roller
`106 may lock into position when the wire 105 is extended a
`predetermined length, and mayberetractable by temporarily
`pulling on the wire 105, or by pressing a switch (mechanical
`or electrical) on the headset body 101. The force exerted by
`the roller 106 may help hold the earpiece 104 in, or against,
`the body 101 recess. As alternatives,
`the roller may be
`manually wound, or wound by a motor.
`
`[0029] The headset 100 mayalso include a circuit element
`107, such as a printed circuit board, containing the electrical
`components needed to operate the unit. These components
`are discussed in greater detail with respect to FIG. 11 below.
`Asinputs to the electrical components, the headset 100 may
`include one or more buttons 108. Buttons 108 may allow the
`
`user to control a variety of aspects of the headpiece, such as
`sound volume, stereo/mono format, on/off, synchronization/
`mating with a host device, etc.
`
`[0030] As shownin FIG.2, the earpiece 104 may be pulled
`away from headset 100 by, for example, pressing in on the
`earpiece to release the spring-loaded latch and pulling on the
`earpiece 104. Subsequently, and as shown in FIG. 3, the
`earpiece 104 may be pulled around to the user’s other ear,
`and inserted therein for use in a stereo mode. If the headset
`
`100 is configured with a head wire (e.g., a rigid or semi-rigid
`structure extending around a user’s head to hold the headset
`100 in place),
`the earpiece 104 may be attached to an
`opposite end of that structure. Furthermore,if a head wire is
`used, wire 105 maybe run alongthe head wire. For example,
`the head wire may include a groove into which the wire 105
`may be inserted. Of course, if the user is wishing to be
`discreet about listening to music, the head wire may be
`avoided, and the wire 105 may be run aroundthe back of the
`head, or along a shirt collar, etc.
`
`[0031] With the earpiece 104 extended, the headset 100
`maybe converted from a monaural modeto a binaural mode.
`Binaural modeis not the limit, however. Additional audio
`channels may be supported by having additional earpieces.
`For example, as shown in FIG. 4, any numberof additional
`earpieces 401, 402 may be included, with wires 403, 404 and
`spring rollers 405, 406, depending on the designer’s pref-
`erence. Any numberof additional audio channels may be
`supported to provide the user with binaural modes.
`
`[0032] As shownin FIG.5, the headset 100 may include
`one or more headphone interfaces 501, 502 to support
`additional earpieces. Headphoneinterfaces 501, 502 may be
`of any type compatible with headphone earpieces, such as a
`headphonejack (e.g., 4", 4%", 2.5 mm, etc.), USB port, or
`any other interface. If desired, earpiece 104 may also con-
`nect to a headphoneinterface, and wire 105 and roller 106
`may be avoided if the earpiece is intended to be carried
`separately and plugged in when the user wants stereo use.
`
`[0033] As noted above, earpiece 104 may communicate in
`a variety of ways. FIG.6 illustrates an example headset 100
`having a removable earpiece that uses wireless transmission
`to communicate with the headset 100. Headset 100 may
`include an antenna 601 for such transmission, and the
`earpiece mayalso include an antenna 602. If the headset 100
`is intended to operate with a touch sensitive device, antenna
`602 may take the form of and/or act as a rigid stylus.
`
`[0034] The headset 100 may be configured to automati-
`cally detect when the user removes the earpiece 104 for
`stereo mode. For example, the earpiece may open (or close)
`a switch in the headset body 101 when the earpiece is in
`place. The recess in the headset body 101 may include
`exposed contacts that are closed by a conductive portion of
`the earpiece 104, or a mechanical switch depressed by the
`earpiece 104.
`
`[0035] Removal of the earpiece 104 may expose addi-
`tional controls that are useful for stereo mode. As shown in
`
`FIG. 7, the earpiece may include one or more buttons 701
`that are exposed when the earpiece is removed from the
`headset body 101. These buttons 701 may be useful for any
`desired function, and maybeparticularly useful for func-
`tionsthat are relevant to stereo mode. For example, a button
`701 may be usedto control left/right audio balance (or other
`
`12
`
`12
`
`

`

`US 2007/0147629 Al
`
`Jun. 28, 2007
`
`audio tuning functions), earpiece volume, or may wirelessly
`connect or synchronize an earpiece 104 with a local headset
`100 or other wireless device. A button 701 mayalso be used
`to indicate whether the earpiece 104 is still in the headset
`body 101, or when it is removed. The earpiece may also
`include a speaker portion 702, opposite the buttons, which
`may provide the sound to the user’s ear.
`
`[0036] The shape of the earpiece may be modified as
`needed to implement
`the features described herein. For
`example, the earpiece in FIG. 7 is shown as a spherical
`shape, but a different shape (e.g., larger, more rectangular,
`etc.) may be used to accommodate additional circuitry,
`larger batteries, different ear type or use configuration, etc.
`Additionally, and as described below, earpiece 104 may be
`replaced by another headset 100, if desired.
`
`[0037] Removal of earpiece 104 may also expose addi-
`tional controls on the headset. FIG. 8 shows an example
`close-up view of a portion of headset 100, with recess 801,
`and additional buttons 802 exposed by the removal of
`earpiece 104. Buttons 802 may be used in a similar manner
`as buttons 701, including functions that are more pertinent
`whenin stereo mode.
`
`[0038] FIG. 9 illustrates an example use for headset 100.
`Headset 100 may be used with any type of audio device,
`such as a personal computer, personal data assistant (PDA),
`music player, video player, cell phone, game device, etc.
`FIG. 9 depicts an example of a cellular phone 901, but the
`description herein is equally applicable to other types of
`audio devices. Phone 901 may include an antenna 902 for a
`wireless communication link between the phone 901 and a
`headset 903 during monaural use, and which may commu-
`nicate with a second headset 904 for binaural use. Second
`
`headset 904 may be the earpiece described above, or it may
`be a completely separate, duplicate version of earpiece 903.
`Headsets 903, 904 may each wirelessly communicate with
`phone 901 to obtain necessary data and signals for separate
`audio channels. Alternatively, one headset (e.g., 904) may
`obtain its data and signals from the other headset 903 (as the
`case mayalso be if headset 904 were replaced by an earpiece
`104 taken from headset 903).
`
`[0039] When two headsets 903, 904 are used in a tele-
`phonecall, the microphones on each headset may be used as
`dual directional microphones, to help reduce noise encoun-
`tered in a telephone call. Headsets 903, 904 and/or phone
`901 mayfocus on the audio signals that are received by both
`microphones, and ignore other signals as noise. FIG. 9 also
`depicts another device 905, which will be described in
`greater detail below.
`
`[0040] FIG. 10 illustrates an example process using, vari-
`ous features described herein. For example, in step 1001, the
`headset may operate in a first mode. Thefirst mode may be
`a monaural mode, such as during a telephone call. Headset
`903 and/or cell phone 901 may determine the current mode
`based on the number of audio channels available from the
`signal source, or based on whether the second speaker is
`extended from headset 903. In the first mode, the user may
`use headset 100 as with any other cellular phone headset,
`and may carry on a monaural telephone conversation.
`
`ear. The headset may receive an input indicating that the
`modeis to be changed from monaural to binaural. The input
`may be in a variety of forms, such as by the automatic
`detection of the removal of earpiece 104. This automatic
`detection may be accomplished through a switch/contact
`element on the earpiece or headset, or by a switch detecting
`a position of roller 106. The input may also be made by
`pressing one or more buttons 701, 802, or by entering
`commandson the device 901 itself (e.g., via a PDA menu).
`
`In someaspects where an additional headset 904 is
`[0042]
`used, the input may be made by bringing the headset 904
`within proximity of the phone 901 or headset 903. For
`example, if the Bluetooth format is used, the headsets 903,
`904 and/or cell phone 901 may, upon demand, periodically
`or continuously scan for the presence of other Bluetooth-
`capable devices. The phone 901 (or headset 903) may be
`configured to automatically enter stereo mode when the
`user’s second headset 904 is brought near the first headset
`903. Alternatively, the input may take the form of a com-
`mand issued by the second headset 904, such as when a
`button 108 is pressed on the second headset 904 to mate with
`the first headset 903.
`
`[0043] When the input is received, the system changes
`operation to the second mode, such as binaural mode, in step
`1003. So, for example, the phone 901 may enter binaural
`mode, and begin sending a second audio stream wirelessly
`to the second headset 904.
`
`[0044] Although the example described above goes from
`mono- to binaural mode, the sameis applicable going from
`any mode to any different mode, such as stereo to mono,
`stereo to 5-channel “surround” audio, etc.
`
`[0045] Withreference to FIG. 11, an exemplary system for
`implementing the headsets and/or earpieces described above
`mayinclude a computing device, such as computing device
`1100. In its most basic configuration, computing device 1100
`typically includes at least one processing unit 1102 and
`memory 1104. Depending on the exact configuration and
`type of computing device, memory 1104 may be volatile
`(such as RAM), non-volatile (such as ROM,flash memory,
`etc.) or some combination of the two. This most basic
`configuration is illustrated in FIG. 11 by line 1106. Addi-
`tionally, device 1100 may also have additional features/
`functionality. For example, device 1100 may also include
`additional storage (removable and/or non-removable), such
`as an SD memory card. Such additional storageis illustrated
`in FIG. 11 by removable storage 1108 and non-removable
`storage 1110. Computer storage media includes volatile and
`nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media imple-
`mented in any method or technology for storage of infor-
`mation such as computer readable instructions, data struc-
`tures, program modules or other data. Memory 1104,
`removable storage 1108 and non-removable storage 1110 are
`all examples of computer storage media. Computer storage
`media includes, but
`is not
`limited to, RAM, ROM,
`EEPROM,flash memory or other memory technology, CD-
`ROM,digital versatile disks (DVD)or other optical storage,
`magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or
`other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which
`can be used to store the desired information and which can
`
`In step 1002, the user mayfinish the call, and may
`[0041]
`decide to listen to music. The user may removethe earpiece
`104 from the headset, and place earpiece 104 in his/her other
`
`be accessed by device 1100. Any such computer storage
`media may be part of device 1100, and any or all of the
`components described herein may comprise the circuitry in
`
`13
`
`13
`
`

`

`US 2007/0147629 Al
`
`Jun. 28, 2007
`
`including, but not limited to,
`a headset and/or earpiece,
`hard-wired circuitry, firmware, software, etc., or any com-
`bination thereof.
`
`[0046] Device 1100 may also contain communications
`connection(s) 1112 that allow the device to communicate
`with other devices. Communications connection(s) 1112 is
`an example of communication media, and mayrefer to the
`wired or wireless communications described above to allow
`the headsets to communicate with other headsets, earpieces,
`or other devices. These may include one or more antennas,
`transmission interfaces (e.g., Bluetooth processing), etc.
`
`[0047] Communication media typically embodies com-
`puter readable instructions, data structures, program mod-
`ules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier
`waveor other transport mechanism and includes any infor-
`mation delivery media. The term “modulated data signal”
`meansa signalthat has one or moreof its characteristics set
`or changed in such a manneras to encode information in the
`signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communi-
`cation media includes wired media such as a wired network
`or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as
`acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. The term
`computer readable media as used herein includes both
`storage media and communication media.
`
`[0048] Device 1100 may also have human input device(s)
`1114 such as buttons, mechanical and/or electrical switches,
`slide switches, etc. Output device(s) 1116 such as the
`primary speaker and the earpiece(s), and other devices such
`as displays, LEDs, etc.
`
`If desired, headset 100 may be configured to oper-
`[0049]
`ate with different types of devices, without requiring those
`devices to specially handle the user-configurable features of
`the headset described herein. For example, the headset 100
`may be compatible with multiple different types of devices
`that use different numbers of audio channels. The user could
`use phone 901 and headset 903 for a monaural call, and
`whenfinished, the user could bring in second headset 904,
`and an MP3 player 905 as a separate device, and headsets
`903, 904 would transfer their communications from phone
`901 to the MP3 player. This transfer can be done by the user
`pressing one or more buttons on headset 903, 904, or by
`selecting an option on phone 901.
`
`[0050] The headsets 903, 904 may support this function-
`ality by including circuitry or a computer-executable pro-
`gram to accept any number of audio channels and to select
`one for generation of audio. So, when headset 903 is
`operating with a monaural cell phone 901, the headset 903
`receives and plays one channel, but when the headset is
`switched over to use with a binaural MP3 player 905, or a
`multi-channel “surround” sound DVD player (not shown),
`the headset 903 can receive the separate audio channels and
`select one for play. The headset 903 may be programmed to
`transmit a second received audio channelto earpiece 104 for
`playing to the user’s other ear.
`
`[0051] The ability to receive and process multiple audio
`channels in the headset may also allow the user to hear a
`monaural version of a stereo audio signal. For example,
`circuit 107 may include a mixer, or be programmed with a
`mixing function,
`to receive two audio channels and mix
`them into a single monaural signal for playing on the
`headset’s primary speaker. Then, as with the method in FIG.
`
`the user may switch to stereo mode by bringing in
`10,
`another headset, or separating an earpiece 104 from thefirst
`headset, and the headset would cease mixing and begin
`transmitting the second audio channel to the second headset
`or earpiece.
`
`In some aspects, the headset may automatically
`[0052]
`detect the arrangement of the ear clasp 102 to determine
`whetherthe user is wearing the device in his/herleft or right
`ear. This may be accomplished in a variety of ways, for
`example, using an electrical contact switch, a photosensitive
`switch, a contact switch to detect a person’s skin, a hardware
`setting, a software configuration setting, etc. FIGS. 12@ and
`126 illustrate an example. The ear clasp 102 may include a
`rotating connection 1201, allowing it to rotate about the
`headset between multiple positions (e.g., one with clasp 102
`as shown, and one with clasp 102 downward, as shown in
`FIG. 128. The opposition positions may allow the headset to
`be converted for wearing on a user’s left or right ear. One of
`switches 1203 and 1204 on the headset may make contact
`with a switch 1202 on the clasp 102, to detect the orientation
`that the clasp is in. As noted, other types of switches and
`contacts may be used. Such a device mayalso be configured
`to adjust an audio stream in accordance with the ear on
`which the device is worn. For example, if the user is wearing
`the headset on theright ear, the device may adjust a received
`stereo signal to route the right audio channelto the headset
`and the left audio channel to the earbud. Another example
`would be a user who has a different frequency response in
`each ear; the device could apply an equalizer function on
`each audio channel specific for each ear.
`
`[0053] As an alternative option, the headset may forego
`the circuitry used to detect the change in modes(e.g., the
`removal of the earpiece 104), and may simply always
`operate in stereo mode. Whenthe earpiece 104 is inserted in
`the body 101, it may continue to operate and play one audio
`channel for the stereo mode.
`
`[0054] As an additional option, the headset may be pro-
`grammed to store, such as in a memory, configuration
`parameters regarding an individual user’s audio preferences.
`These preferences may identify, for example, the number of
`channels the userprefers to hear, the distribution of channels
`to earpieces and speakers, the preferred volumesettings for
`each individual speaker(e.g., differentleft and right volume
`levels if a person is more sensitive in one ear over the other),
`etc. Additionally,
`the headset may also store frequency
`response characteristics for the particular user as well. So,
`for example, if a user’s ears have poor detection of audio in
`a predetermined frequency range (e.g., a low frequency
`range, a high-pitch range, etc.), the headset and/or earpiece
`may automatically shift the frequency of the various audio
`channels sent to the earpieces to compensate for the user’s
`ears. So a user whohastrouble hearing low frequencies may
`have his/her headset automatically shift the audio frequen-
`cies higher to improve the user’s ability to hear.
`
`To configure these preferences and parameters, the
`[0055]
`headset may employ a configuration mode in which test
`tones are played to the various earpieces. For example, the
`headset may play a predetermined rangeoftest tones (e.g.,
`various notes on a scale), and ask the user to identify the
`preferred frequency range, or to identify tones that the user
`did not hear as well. The headset may begin at a low pitch
`and gradually increase the pitch until
`the user indicates
`
`14
`
`14
`
`

`

`US 2007/0147629 Al
`
`Jun. 28, 2007
`
`he/she can hear, and may do the same from high pitch down,
`to ascertain the range of the user’s individual ear’s hearing.
`Alternatively,
`this information may be entered using an
`interface and buttons on the headset, or may be entered using
`a software application on a separate computing device, and
`uploaded onto the headset via wireless and/or wired inter-
`face.
`
`[0056] Although the subject matter has been described in
`language specific to structural features and/or methodologi-
`cal acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined
`in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the
`specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific
`features and acts described above are disclosed as example
`forms of implementing the claims.
`
`I claim the following:
`1. A headset, comprising:
`
`a housing body;
`
`a first speaker connected to said housing body;
`
`an ear clasp connected to said housing body; and
`
`a switch to detect an orientation of said clasp, wherein
`said headset is configured to adjust an audio signal
`provided to said first speaker based on said detected
`orientation of said clasp.
`2. The headset of claim 1, wherein said switch is a contact
`switch located on said housing body.
`3. The headset of claim 1, wherein said clasp is attached
`to said housing body and configured to rotate between two
`positions.
`4. A headset method, comprising the steps of:
`
`8. The method of claim 4, wherein said step of adjusting
`further includes changing said audio signal between left and
`right speaker audio signals.
`9. The method of claim 7, wherein said step of changing
`further includes a step of adjusting a frequency of said audio
`signal, and said user preference information includes fre-
`quency characteristic data for a user of said headset.
`10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of
`establishing said frequency characteristic for said user by
`playing test tones at different frequencies to said user, and
`receiving user response to said test tones.
`11. The method of claim 8, wherein said step of changing
`further includes a step of adjusting a volumeofsaid audio
`signal.
`12. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of
`accepting user inputs on one or more buttons of said headset
`to enter said user preferences.
`13. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of
`uploading said user preferences to said headset from a
`computing device.
`14. The method of claim 13, wherein said step of upload-
`ing is performed using a wireless interface on said headset.
`15. A headset method, comprising the steps of:
`
`using one or more test tones to establish user audio
`characteristics;
`
`automatically detecting whether a headset is worn on a
`user’s right or left ear; and
`
`automatically adjusting an audio signal provided by said
`headset based on the user audio characteristics and on
`the ear on which said headset is worn.
`
`16. The method of claim 15, wherein said test tones are
`detecting an ear on which a headset is worn by detecting
`played by a speaker on said headset.
`an orientation of an ear clasp on said headset; and
`17. The method of claim 15, wherein said step of auto-
`matically detecting is based onastate of an electrical contact
`adjusting an audio signal provided to a speaker on said
`switch.
`headset in