as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2007/0123171 Al
`(43) Pub. Date: May31, 2007
`
`Slamkaet al.
`
`US 20070123171A1
`
`(54) COMMUNICATION OF AUDIO CONTROL
`SIGNALS FOR WIRELESS AUDIO
`HEADPHONES
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Milan Slamka, Camas, WA (US); Todd
`Yuzuriha, Vancouver, WA (US)
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. CL
`(2006.01)
`HO4B 7/00
`(52) U.S. C1.
`ccscccssessssessesestenssenseseestenesensesves 455/66.1
`
`Correspondence Address:
`IPSOLON LLP
`111 SW COLUMBIA
`SUITE 710
`PORTLAND,OR 97201 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/223,767
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Sep. 9, 2005
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/608,659,filed on Sep.
`10, 2004.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A wireless audio headphone communication system has an
`audio input for receiving an audio signal from an audio
`source. A wireless transceiver receives and transmits radio
`
`frequency communications with a wireless audio head-
`phone, the communications including an audio control sig-
`nal that conforms to a wireless audio control protocol of a
`wireless communication protocol. A converter converts the
`audio control signal between the wireless audio control
`protocol transceived by the wireless transceiver and a local
`control protocol for controlling the audio source.
`
`Media
`
`Player
`Software
`
`Personal Computer
`
`Wireless
`Transciever
`
`USB Port
`
`16
`
`Headphone
`
`APPLE 1081
`
`APPLE 1081
`
`1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 31,2007 Sheet 1 of 2
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`US 2007/0123171 Al
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`Patent Application Publication May 31,2007 Sheet 2 of 2
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`US 2007/0123171 Al
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`US 2007/0123171 Al
`
`May 31, 2007
`
`COMMUNICATION OF AUDIO CONTROL
`SIGNALS FOR WIRELESS AUDIO HEADPHONES
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`[0001] The present invention relates to communicating
`audio control signals for wireless headphones and, in par-
`ticular, to a wireless audio headphone communication sys-
`tem for communicating such signals.
`
`BACKGROUND AND THE SUMMARY OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`Stereo headphones and other audio output devices
`[0002]
`that conform to the Audio Profile of the Bluetooth® radio
`
`frequency (RF) wireless standard can utilize or control
`sources of audio content from a variety of Bluetooth®-
`enabled audio platforms, such as IPAQ™portable players,
`iPOD™, portable players, MP3 portable players, media
`player software on personal computers, homestereo sys-
`tems,
`etc.
`In particular,
`the Bluetooth® specification
`includes an “Audio Video Remote Control Protocol”
`
`(AVRCP)that provides for control of a content source(e.g.,
`portable player or media player software on a personal
`computer) from a content sink (e.g., a Bluetooth® head-
`phone) overa wireless radio frequency (RF) link. The Audio
`Video Remote Control Protocol (AVRCP)also provides for
`control of the content sink from the content source over the
`wireless RF link. The control features may include remote
`control of functions such as Play, Pause, Volume UP, Volume
`Down, Forward and Previoustrack.
`
`include
`[0003] Typically, headphone architecture must
`particular elements such as input/output (I/O) components,
`switches, firmware, etc. to implement remote control fea-
`tures according to the AVRCP. Content sources that are
`embedded in products like portable players (e.g., IPAQ™,
`iPOD™, and MP3portable players) require embeddeddriv-
`ers that are specific for these products. For example, model-
`dependant Widcomm™drivers are used in IPAQ™portable
`players and some personal computers with embedded Blue-
`tooth® stacks. Products such as personal computers (e.g.,
`laptop computers or desktop computers) that do not have
`embedded Bluetooth® modules require a Bluetooth® digital
`dongle, or other RF module, and appropriate driver soft-
`ware, which is available from a variety of sources such as
`Widcomm, IVT,etc.
`
`[0004] Large numbers of existing personal computers do
`not have embedded Bluetooth® RF modules or the corre-
`sponding driver software. Even with Bluetooth® digital
`dongles or other RF modules connected to them, such
`personal computers would further require model-dependent
`drivers for Audio Profile Bluetooth® devices, like stereo
`headphones, to provide control of a content source (e.g.,
`media player software) over the wireless RF link. Promul-
`gation of such a wide variety of drivers can be expensive for
`the provider, and accessing andinstalling the correct drivers
`can be difficult for users.
`
`[0005] Accordingly, the present invention provides a wire-
`less audio headphone communication system having an
`audio input for receiving an audio signal from an audio
`source, a wireless transceiver for receiving and transmitting
`radio frequency communications with a wireless audio head-
`phone, the communications including an audio control sig-
`nal that conforms to a wireless audio control protocol of a
`
`wireless communication protocol, and a converter for con-
`verting the audio control signal between the wireless audio
`control protocol transceived by the wireless transceiver and
`a local control protocol for controlling the audio source.
`
`In one implementation, the present invention pro-
`[0006]
`vides a universal USB dongle (e.g., a USB “stick”) that
`requires no source-specific software drivers and that will
`operate on any computing device with a USB source con-
`nection, such as a personal computer(i.e., laptop or desk-
`top).
`In one implementation,
`the universal USB dongle
`conforms to the Audio Profile of the Bluetooth® wireless
`
`standard as an Audio Profile device, enumerating as an audio
`device to the source (e.g., personal computer) and providing
`full control from or to the source or the sink (e.g., a wireless
`stereo headphone). The source may havea variety of players
`(e.g., software players) to deliver music or other content to
`the headphone. As a USB device the universal dongle
`operates in a plug and play manner,
`independent of the
`platform and software.
`
`[0007] Additional objects and advantages of the present
`invention will be apparent from the detailed description of
`the preferred embodiment
`thereof, which proceeds with
`reference to the accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a USB dongle with a
`[0008]
`driverless audio device RF remote control system.
`
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an audio gateway as
`[0009]
`an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a universalserial bus
`[0010]
`(USB) dongle or “stick”10 with a driverless audio device RF
`remote control system 12. Driverless audio device RF
`remote control system 12 provides remote control between,
`for example, a personal computer 14 and a headphone 16
`that communicate over a radio frequency (RF) link 17 that
`is based on a wireless standard like Bluetooth®. Driverless
`audio device RF remote control system 12 operates without
`installation of a remote control software driver onto personal
`computer 14.
`
`[0011] Personal computer 14 includes a USBport 18 into
`which USB dongle 10 is plugged. Media player software 20
`on personal computer 14 provides audio content that is
`transmitted to and played on headphone 16 according to
`remote control signals transmitted between computer 14 and
`headphone 16. It will be appreciated that reference to the
`Bluetooth® wireless standard is merely as an example and
`that RF link 17 could operate according to any wireless
`standard.
`
`[0012] Remote control system 12 includes a wireless (e.g.,
`Bluetooth®) transceiver system or module 30 for transmit-
`ting audio content from computer 14 to headphone 16 and
`for transmitting remote control commands between head-
`phone 16 and computer 14. For example, the remote control
`commands may include functions such as Play, Pause,
`Volume Up, Volume Down, Forward and Previous Track
`that are selected by user manipulation of controls on head-
`phone 16 and are implemented by media player software 20,
`or vice versa. In one implementation, the remote control
`
`4
`
`

`

`US 2007/0123171 Al
`
`May 31, 2007
`
`commandsare transmitted and received in accordance with
`the “Audio Video Remote Control Protocol” (AVRCP) of
`the Bluetooth® standard.
`
`[0013] An AVRCP-IrDA converter 32 provides conver-
`sion or translation between AVRCP remote control com-
`mands and corresponding computer system commands
`based upon a widely-supported computer protocol or stan-
`dard such as the Infrared Data Association (IrDA) standard
`that is widely available in personal computers with short-
`range infrared transceivers. The AVRCP remote control
`commands correspond to a wireless audio control protocol
`(e.g., for transmitting control signals to and from headphone
`16). The IrDA control signals correspond to device control
`protocols that can control computer audio sources (e.g.,
`media software) and are widely available on personal com-
`puters without requiring separate installation of specific
`drivers. Accordingly,
`the VRCP-IrDA converter 32 may
`generally be referred to as a converter between wireless
`audio control protocols and local computer device control
`protocols.
`
`In an implementation directed to a personal com-
`[0014]
`puter employing the Windows® operating system,
`for
`example, the Winsock API allows IrDA control signals to
`access and control Human Interface Device (HID) com-
`mands. HID commands are typically used to command
`devices that are used by humansto control the operation of
`computer systems, such as keyboards and pointing devices
`(e.g., standard mouse devices,
`trackballs, and joysticks),
`front-panel controls (e.g., GUI knobs, switches, buttons,
`sliders), etc. This allows widely available short-range infra-
`red transceivers that adhere to the Infrared Data Association
`(IrDA) standard (e.g., non-Windows® devices) to commu-
`nicate with and control Windows®)-based applications. The
`IrDA protocols are open and are designed to support non-PC
`devices.
`
`In operation the Winsock API exposes the IrDA
`[0015]
`TinyTP protocol
`to the applications writer. A non-Win-
`dows® device that implements the TinyTP protocol will be
`able to exchange data with Windows®-based applications
`such as Jukebox Windows Media Player or another existing
`software play source. IrDA is uniquely suited for public
`access applications because the connector can be completely
`sealed and because the IrDA connectivity model does not
`require that connected devices be treated as PC-peripherals.
`This meansthat there is no persistent relationship between
`IrDA devices, nor are there any device drivers to install to
`enable connectivity.
`
`It will be appreciated, therefore, that the present
`[0016]
`invention includes translation of AVRCP commandsat the
`
`dongle 10 to appropriate IR commandsfor a forward control
`path (.e., sink-to-source), as well as translation of IR
`commands to AVRCP commandsfor a reverse control path
`(i.e., source-to-sink).
`. For example, converter 32 converts
`AVRCP-format remote control commands such as Play,
`Pause, Volume Up, Volume Down, Forward and Previous
`Track that are selected by user manipulation of controls on
`headphone 16 into corresponding IrDA control signals that
`are delivered to computer 14 via wireless link 17, wireless
`transceiver 30, and USBport 18. The converted correspond-
`ing IrDA control signals access and control HumanInterface
`Device (HID) commandsthat control a media source such as
`media player software 20.
`
`[0017] Likewise, converter 32 can convert IrDA-format
`remote control commands into corresponding AVRCP con-
`trol signals that are delivered from computer 14 to head-
`phone 16 via USB port 18, wireless transceiver 30, and
`wireless link 17.
`
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an audio gateway 50,
`[0018]
`sometimes referred to as an IR-RF converter unit, as an
`alternative embodiment of the present
`invention. Audio
`gateway 50 is connected to receive an analog audio signal
`over a wired link 52 from an analog audio source, such as
`a stereo player 54. Wired link could employ conventional
`audio-style RCA-type connectors, for example. Audio gate-
`way 50 includes a codec 56 that receives the analog audio
`signal and generates a corresponding digital one. The digital
`audio signal is provided to a wireless RF (e.g., Bluetooth®)
`transceiver 60 for RF transmission over an RF link 62 to a
`
`headphone 58 to be heard by a user.
`
`[0019] Remote control commands may be transmitted
`between headphone 58 and stereo player 54 (e.g., from
`headphone 58 to stereo 54). For example, the remote control
`commands may include functions such as Play, Pause,
`Volume Up, Volume Down, Forward and Previous Track
`that are selected by user manipulation of controls on head-
`phone 58 and implemented by stereo player 54. The remote
`control commands are transmitted and received at audio
`
`gateway 50 in accordance with the “Audio Video Remote
`Control Protocol” (AVRCP) of the Bluetooth® standard.
`
`[0020] An AVRCP-IrDA converter 64 provides conver-
`sion or translation between the AVRCP remote, control
`commandstransmitted by headphone 58 over.
`
`[0021] RF link 62 and corresponding stereo control com-
`mands based upon a widely-supported protocol or standard
`such as IrDA. IrDA is the Infrared Data Association (IrDA)
`standard that is widely used in remote control of audio-
`visual equipment. Wireless RF transceiver 60 delivers the
`control signals to AVRCP-IrDA converter 64, which con-
`verts them to the IrDA format for transmission by an IR
`transmitter 66 over an IR link 68. An IR receiver 70 of stereo
`payer 54 receives the IrDA control signals and responds
`accordingly.
`
`It will be appreciated that audio gateway 50 could
`[0022]
`be connected to analog audio sourcesother than a stereo. For
`example, audio gateway could receive an analog audio
`signal from the audio output of a personal computer (e.g.,
`laptop or desktop). Such a configuration could be usedif the
`personal computer does not include a USB port or if the
`existing USBports are not available dueto other uses. In this
`instance, audio gateway 50 would receive the analog audio
`signal in the manner described above and control signals
`could be return over IR link 68 to an IrDAtransceiver on the
`computer.
`
`[0023] Having described andillustrated the principles of
`our invention with reference to an illustrated embodiment, it
`will be recognized that the illustrated embodiment can be
`modified in arrangement and detail without departing from
`such principles. It should be understood that the programs,
`processes, or methods described herein are not related or
`limited to any particular type of computer apparatus, unless
`indicated otherwise. Various types of general purpose or
`specialized computer apparatus may be used with or perform
`operations in accordance with the teachings described
`
`5
`
`

`

`US 2007/0123171 Al
`
`May 31, 2007
`
`herein. Elements of the illustrated embodiment shown in
`software may be implemented in hardware and vice versa.
`
`In view of the many possible embodiments to
`[0024]
`which the principles of our invention may be applied,
`it
`should be recognized that the detailed embodiments are
`illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the
`scope of our invention. Rather, we claim as our invention all
`such embodiments as may come within the scope andspirit
`of the following claims and equivalents thereto.
`
`1. AUSBdongle having a USB connector for communi-
`cating with a computing device through a USBport, com-
`prising:
`
`a wireless transceiver for transceiving wireless commu-
`nications with a headphone according to a wireless
`communication protocol that includes a selected audio
`control signal that controls a selected audio function
`and conformsto a wireless audio control protocol; and
`a converter that converts between the wireless audio
`control protocol transceived by the wireless transceiver
`and a local computing device control protocol
`that
`controls an audio source device interface on the com-
`
`puting device, the converter further providing to the
`computing device via the USB port a converted audio
`control signal that controls the selected audio function
`and conforms to the local computing device control
`protocol.
`2. The USB dongle of claim 1 in which the computing
`device does not include a driver for the wireless communi-
`
`cation protocol.
`in which the wireless
`3. The USB dongle of claim 1
`communications are radio frequency communications.
`4. The USB dongle of claim 1 in which the computing
`device includes a personal computer.
`5. The USB dongle of claim 1
`in which the converter
`further receives from the computing device via the USBport
`a secondselected audio control signal that controls a second
`selected audio function and conformsto the local computing
`device control protocol, converts the second selected audio
`control signal to a second converted audio control signal that
`controls the second selected audio function and conforms to
`
`the wireless communication protocol, and provides the
`second converted audio control signal to the wireless trans-
`ceiver for transmission to the headphone to control
`the
`second selected audio function.
`
`6. The USB dongle of claim 1 in which the local computer
`device control protocols include an Infrared Data Associa-
`tion (IrDA) standard.
`7. A wireless audio headphone communication system,
`comprising:
`
`an audio input for receiving an audio signal from an audio
`source;
`
`a wireless transceiver for receiving and transmitting radio
`frequency communications with a wireless audio head-
`phone, the communications including an audio control
`
`signal that conformsto a wireless audio control proto-
`col of a wireless communication protocol; and
`
`signal
`for converting the audio control
`a converter
`between the wireless audio control protocol transceived
`bythe wireless transceiver and an local control protocol
`for controlling the audio source.
`8. The wireless audio headphone communication system
`of claim 7 in which the audio input receives the audio signal
`as a digital audio signal.
`9. The wireless audio headphone communication system
`of claim 8 in which the audio source is in communication
`
`with a USBport and in which the audio input receives the
`audio signal at the USB port.
`10. The wireless audio headphone communication system
`of claim 8 in which the audio sourceis includedin a personal
`computer.
`11. The wireless audio headphone communication system
`of claim 7 in which the audio input receives the audio signal
`as an analog audio signal.
`12. The wireless audio headphone communication system
`of claim 7 further comprising an infrared transceiver for
`transcieving the audio control signal between the audio
`source and the wireless audio headphone communication
`system.
`13. The wireless audio headphone communication system
`of claim 7 in which the audio source does not include a
`
`driver for the wireless communication protocol.
`14. A audio headphone gateway, comprising:
`
`an audio input for receiving an audio signal from an
`analog audio source;
`
`a digital converter for converting the analog audio signal
`to a digital audio signal;
`
`a wireless transceiver for receiving and transmitting radio
`frequency communications with a wireless audio head-
`phoneaccording to a wireless communication protocol,
`the communications including the digital audio signal
`and an audio control signal that conforms to a wireless
`audio control protocol of the wireless communication
`protocol;
`
`signal
`for converting the audio control
`a converter
`between the wireless audio control protocol transceived
`by the wireless transceiver and an infrared control
`protocol for controlling the analog audio source; and
`
`an infrared transceiver for transceiving the audio control
`signal between the analog audio source andthe wireless
`audio headphone gateway.
`15. The gateway of claim 14 in which the audio input for
`receiving an audio signal from an analog audio source is not
`a wired link.
`
`16. The gateway of claim 14 in which the analog audio
`source includes a stereo player
`
`6
`
`