as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication 10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0068610 Al
`(43) Pub. Date: Jun. 6, 2002
`
`Anvekaret al.
`
`US 20020068610A1
`
`(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`SELECTING SOURCE DEVICE AND
`CONTENT DELIVERY VIA WIRELESS
`CONNECTION
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Dinesh Kashinath Anvekar,
`Piscataway, NJ (US); Bhaskarpillai
`Gopinath, Watchung, NJ (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Guy H.Eriksen,
`Lotus Management, L.L.C.,
`Suite N320,
`255 Old New Brunswick Road,
`Piscataway, NJ 08854 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`09/730,135
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 5, 2000
`
`Publication Classification
`
`; HO4B 1/38
`icccccccccccessssseeseen
`C17
`Inte
`VD)
`H04M 1/00
`Int.
`51)
`Cl.”
`(52) US. Ch ivcccccsecceecrssee 455/560; 455/568; 455/550;
`455/557
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Personal communication, entertainment, and data needs are
`robustly enhanced utilizing a headset or other interactive
`device comprising a user interface apparatus, a wireless
`transceiver, and a switching module; wherein the wireless
`transceiver is used for transport of content between the user
`interface device and a plurality of source devices, and the
`switching module is coupled to and interposed between the
`user interface apparatus and the wireless transceiver and is
`used to select specified source devices for wireless coupling
`with the user interface.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`USER PRESSES A SPECIFIC °
`KEY OR SPEAKSINTO THE
`USER SWITCHES ON AND
`
`
`MICROPHONE TO CONNECT
`WEARSTHE HEADSET.
`
`
`TO THE MUSIC PLAYER
`HEADSET TRANSMITS
`
`‘DON'T TRANSMIT
`
`INSTRUCTION TO ALL
`
`AUDIO-SOURCE DEVICES
`
`
`HEADSET TRANSMITS ‘START
`
`
`TRANSMISSION' INSTRUCTION
`
`
`30
`TO THE MUSIC PLAYER BY
`
`SENDING THE DEVICE
`
`IDENTIFICATION CODE OF THE
` MUSIC PLAYER
`
`
`
`MUSIC PLAYER PRECEDING
`RECOGNIZES THE
`
`
`THE INSTRUCTION
`INSTRUCTION AND
`
`STARTS SENDING MUSIC
`
`STREAM TO THE HEADSET
`
`
`
`HEADSET SENDS 'STOP
`TRANSMISSION' INSTRUCTION
`
`TO MUSIC PLAYER AND 'START
`
`COMMUNICATION INSTRUCTION
`
`
`TO CELL PHONE BY SENDING
`
`
`
`USER FINDS THAT
`RESPECTIVE DEVICE
`
`CELLPHONE IS RINGING,
`IDENTIFICATION
`
`
`
`AND PRESSESA KEY OR
`
`CODES BEFORE THE
`
`
`SPEAKSINTO THE
`INSTRUCTIONS
`
`
`
`MICROPHONE TO SWITCH
`
`
`
`CONNECTION TO CELL
`
`
`
`CELL PHONE TRANSMITS
`PHONE
`
`
`INCOMING VOICE TO THE
`HEADSET AND RECEIVES
`
`USER'S VOICE FROM THE
`
`HEADSET FOR ONWARD
`
`TRANSMISSION
`
`APPLE 1130
`APPLE 1130
`
` 1
`
`1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 6, 2002 Sheet 1 of 6
`
`US 2002/0068610 A1
`
`DEVICE
`
`FIG.1 HEADSETne
`mo
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 6, 2002 Sheet 2 of 6
`
`US 2002/0068610 A1
`
`aoOaaMICROPHONE
`Y)
`
`ELECTRONICS
`
`AUDIO-
`MICROPROCESSOR
` FIG.2
` N VOICE-
`RECOGNITION
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`TRANSCEIVER
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 6, 2002 Sheet 3 of 6
`
`US 2002/0068610 Al
`
`YOSSsa00NdONIW
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`€Old
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`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 6, 2002 Sheet 4 of 6
`
`US 2002/0068610 A1
`
`FIG.4
`
`WIRELESS
`
`HEADSET
`
`LL
`z=
`oO
`xr
`ou
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`— L
`
`i]
`oO
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`5
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 6, 2002 Sheet 5 of 6
`
`US 2002/0068610 Al
`
`USER SWITCHES ON AND
`WEARS THE HEADSET.
`HEADSET TRANSMITS
`‘DON'T TRANSMIT’
`INSTRUCTION TO ALL
`AUDIO-SOURCE DEVICES
`
`STREAM TO THE HEADSET
`
`MUSIC PLAYER
`RECOGNIZES THE
`INSTRUCTION AND
`STARTS SENDING MUSIC
`
`40
`
`USER FINDS THAT
`CELLPHONE IS RINGING,
`AND PRESSESA KEY OR
`SPEAKS INTO THE
`MICROPHONE TO SWITCH
`CONNECTION TO CELL
`PHONE
`
`FIG. 5
`
`KEY OR SPEAKSINTO THE
`MICROPHONE TO CONNECT
`TO THE MUSIC PLAYER
`
` USER PRESSES A SPECIFIC °
`
`HEADSET TRANSMITS 'START
`TRANSMISSION’ INSTRUCTION
`TO THE MUSIC PLAYER BY
`SENDING THE DEVICE
`IDENTIFICATION CODE OF THE
`MUSIC PLAYER PRECEDING
`THE INSTRUCTION
`
`
`
`
`|
`ao on io
`
`
`HEADSET SENDS 'STOP
`TRANSMISSION' INSTRUCTION
`
`TO MUSIC PLAYER AND 'START
`COMMUNICATION’ INSTRUCTION
`TO CELL PHONE BY SENDING
`RESPECTIVE DEVICE
`IDENTIFICATION
`CODES BEFORE THE
`
`INSTRUCTIONS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`TRANSMISSION
`
`CELL PHONE TRANSMITS
`INCOMING VOICE TO THE
`HEADSET AND RECEIVES
`USER'S VOICE FROM THE
`HEADSET FOR ONWARD
`
`END
`
`6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 6, 2002 Sheet 6 of 6
`
`US 2002/0068610 Al
`
`co
`
`© c
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`o
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`

`

`US 2002/0068610 Al
`
`Jun. 6, 2002
`
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTING
`SOURCE DEVICE AND CONTENT DELIVERY VIA
`WIRELESS CONNECTION
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The present invention relates to the field of per-
`sonal communication, data, and entertainment devices.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`personal headset device is comprised of a user interface
`apparatus, a wireless transceiver, and a switching module,
`wherein the wireless transceiver is used for transport of
`content between the user interface device and a plurality of
`source devices, and the switching module is coupled to and
`interposed between the user interface apparatus and the
`wireless transceiver and is used to select specified source
`devices for wireless coupling with the user interface.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0006] A more complete understanding of the present
`invention may be obtained from consideration of the fol-
`lowing description in conjunction with the drawings in
`which:
`
`FIG.2 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodi-
`[0008]
`ment of a wireless audio headset device, in accordance with
`the principles embodied in the present invention;
`
`[0002] Hands-free earphones, earpieces, headphones, and
`other audio transducers (collectively referred to herein as
`audio headscts for the sake of simplicity) are commonly
`used in conjunction with cellular phones and other audio
`devices such as music players (cassette, CD, MP3, etc.),
`radios, wired telephones, personal computers, and the like.
`One beneficial aspect gained through the use of hands-free
`[0007] FIG.1isa block diagram of an exemplary embodi-
`audio headsets is the unencumbered use of a speaker,
`ment of a wireless headset system, in accordance with the
`earphone,or other audio delivery transducer without requir-
`principles embodied in the present invention;
`ing the user to constantly hold the device to perceive the
`audio content. Another beneficial aspect is that delivery of
`the audio content
`is consistently delivered to the user,
`regardless of user location or position, while the headset is
`affixed to the head of the user. Yet another beneficial aspect
`[0009] FIG.3is a block diagram of an exemplary embodi-
`is that audio content delivery is personal to the user himself
`ment of an audio source device, in accordance with the
`and non-obtrusive to those nearby since the headset holds
`principles embodied in the present invention;
`the audio transducer(s) next to the user’s ear(s), thus requir-
`ing audio content volume only loud enough for perception
`by the user.
`[0003] Despite the enormous benefit derived by the use of
`hands-free audio headsets, there are also some detrimental or
`negative aspects associated with use of such devices. One
`detrimental aspect is that dangling wires or cables used for
`delivery of audio content from an audio device to the audio
`headset are often cumbersomeand inconvenient. Also, in an
`example in which the user has a plurality of audio devices
`(such as a cellular phone, one or more music players, etc.),
`frequently the various device headsets are incompatible with
`one another and the user must change headsets to change the
`audio device he is listening to. In the instance in which two
`or more audio devices may utilize a common device headset
`and the user wantsto stop listeningto a first device and begin
`([0013] FIG.1isa block diagramof an exemplary embodi-
`listening to a second device, the user mustfirst disconnect
`ment of a wireless headset system, in accordance with the
`the headset from the first device and then reconnect the
`principles embodied in the present invention. The headset
`headset to the second device.
`100 is linked to various source devices,
`in the instant
`embodimenta plurality of audio source devices 110,-110,,
`via a wireless medium 120. An audio headsetis illustrated
`
`[0010] FIG. 4 isa block diagram of an exemplary embodi-
`ment of the present invention in which two audio source
`devicesare utilized as the source devices, in accordance with
`the principles embodied in the present invention;
`
`([0011] FIG. 5 is a representation of an exemplary method
`employed in selecting between competing audio source
`devices, in accordance with the principles embodied in the
`present invention; and
`
`FIG.6 is a representation of an embodimentof the
`[0012]
`invention in which a plurality of audio source
`present
`devices’ content are multiplexed.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`In aneffort to overcome someof these deficiencies,
`[0004]
`a wireless connection or link between audio source devices
`
`and an audio headset may be used. For example, LM
`Ericsson Telephone Co. has developed a Bluetooth™ stan-
`dard cellular phone headset. The Bluetooth™ standard is a
`radio technology standard developed by a consortium of
`companics in which a chip is used within a device in order
`to transmit signals over short distances between telephones,
`computers and other devices without the use of wires. The
`Ericsson headset is a wireless mobile phone headset, with a
`built-in Bluetooth™ radio chip that acts as a connector
`between the headset and a Bluetooth™ plug on a cellular
`phone. While this eliminates the detrimental aspects asso-
`ciated with dangling wires and cables and allowsfor greater
`freedom and range of motion, such technology may only be
`used with those phones or other devices having built in
`Bluetooth™ compatible radio connection chips.
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`[0005] These and other limitations associated with the
`prior art are overcomeby the present invention in which a
`
`in the instant embodiment, which may include any well-
`known audio user interface used as a transducer, including
`but not limited to earphones, earpieces, headphones, speak-
`ers, microphones,etc. The headset need not be comprised of
`an audio user interface, but may include one or more of any
`mannerofuser interface apparatus, including but not limited
`to the aforementioned audio user interfaces, video user
`interfaces such as video display modules, touch-pad inter-
`faces, biometric sensors and devices, voice recognition
`modules, and the like. Furthermore, although illustrated and
`described as incorporated within a headset 100, the present
`invention need not be manifested in a headsetat all; rather,
`the invention may be incorporated within any device wear-
`able, attachable, or otherwise borne by a human.
`
`instant
`although illustrated in the
`[0014] Similarly,
`embodiment as audio source devices, source devices are not
`to be construed as constrained merely to audio devices, and
`may include, by way of example and not limitation, audio
`
`8
`
`

`

`US 2002/0068610 Al
`
`Jun. 6, 2002
`
`audio-signals, if any, from the headset 200 are received by
`the microprocessor via the radio transceiver 310. Device
`specific units 340 represent all the device/feature specific
`circuits and functions particular to a source device (in the
`instant embodiment, audio-source device 300). For example,
`if the audio-source device 300 is a music playing device,
`then device specific units 340 will include all the mechanical
`and electronics sections of the device.
`
`[0018] The operation of an exemplary embodimentof the
`present inventionis illustrated and described in conjunction
`with FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an
`exemplary embodiment of the present invention in which
`two audio source devices are utilized as the source devices.
`For illustrative purposes, only two audio-source devices, a
`music player 410 and a cell phone 420, are shown in FIG.
`4, although it would be understood to those skilled in theart
`that a plurality of other devices may also be included. In one
`embodiment of the present
`invention, each audio-source
`device is assigned a unique device identification code. To
`register a device with the headset 200, its device identifi-
`cation code is entered using the keys 250 or by sequentially
`uttering, the code digits into the microphone. As is well-
`understood in the art, the numberof digits chosen is suffi-
`ciently long to avoid the possible replication of code digits
`with devices of other headset users nearby or adjacentto the
`headset user.
`
`FIG.5 is a representation of an exemplary method
`[0019]
`employed in selecting between a plurality of personal audio
`source devices, in accordance with the principles embodied
`in the present invention. Microprocessor 240, in addition to
`the previously described functions, also functions as a
`switching module for connecting one or more userinterface
`devices with one or more source devices. In the embodiment
`shown in FIG. 5, audio output from headset 400 is first
`initialized from a music player 410 and subsequently
`switched to a cell phone 420. In accordance with step 500,
`when initially powered on,
`the headset 400 transmits a
`‘Don’t Transmit’ message to both the music player 410 and
`the cell phone 420. In accordance with step 510, the user
`choosesto initially connect to the music player. One method
`of choosing a device is to press a specific key or touchpad
`located on the headset. Alternatively, the user may speak into
`the microphone using specific words directing the head-
`phone to connect to the music player. In yet anotheralter-
`native embodiment, processor 240 may be programmedto
`select a specific device as the power-up default source
`device with which the headset is to establish a link. In
`
`and voice devices such as cellular and other wireless phones
`and communication devices, wired phones, music players
`such as cassette players, compact disc players, MP3 players,
`radios, personal computers, personal digital assistants and
`other information appliances. In one embodiment of the
`present invention in which the user interface is an audio
`interface, the headset 100 may selectively choose one or
`more audio-source devices to produce audio input to either
`ear or both ears of the user. As would be apparent to those
`skilled in the art, the wireless medium 120 link between the
`headset 100 and the applicable source device(s) may be
`accomplished utilizing digital wireless link standards such
`as Bluetooth™ or IEEE 802.11.
`
`FIG.2 is a block diagramof an exemplary embodi-
`(0015]
`mentof a wireless audio headset device 200, in accordance
`with the principles embodied in the present invention. The
`audio-electronics subsection 210 is comprised of standard
`electronics and audio signal processing circuitry to produce
`an audio output at the speaker 220. The electronicscircuitry
`is comprised of one or more of the following arrangements
`to produce a desired intensity and frequency band of audio
`signal at the speaker 220, including but not limited to audio
`amplifiers, impedance matching circuits, attenuators, tuners,
`filters and the like. The audio-electronics subsection 210 is
`also comprised of circuitry to process the signals that come
`from the output of the microphone 230, and to produce
`digital electronic signals for use by the microprocessor 240.
`The various functional capabilities of the audio-electronics
`section 210 are controlled by the microprocessor 240. One
`or more keys 250 (or other interface control devices) are
`provided on the headset to control various control functions
`such as ‘on/off’, volume ‘increase/decrease’, and connection
`controls to specific source devices.
`
`also
`the headset
`In the instant embodiment,
`([0016]
`includes a voice-recognition unit 00045260 that recognizes
`words such as ‘cell-phone’, ‘music’, ‘radio’, ‘on’, ‘off’, etc.
`spoken by a human as a control command. The digital
`electronic signals corresponding to such soundsare received
`by the microprocessor 240 through the audio-electronics
`subsection 210, and sent to the voice-recognition unit 260.
`The voice recognition unit 260 sends a signal to the micro-
`processor 240 indicating whether the spoken voice com-
`mandis a valid commandandif valid, what control function
`to perform. The microprocessor then performs the necessary
`action or function related to the signal which correspondsto
`the spoken voice command. The microprocessor also con-
`trols the radio transceiver 270 that transmits and receives
`wireless command signals and content
`to and from the
`various devices (whether audio, text, data, video, or other
`format).
`
`accordance with step 520, the headset transmits the device
`identification code of the music player followed by a ‘Start
`Transmission’ instruction. In accordance with step 530, the
`([0017] FIG.3is a block diagram of an exemplary embodi-
`music player recognizes by the device identification code
`mentof an audio source device 300, in accordance with the
`that it has been addressed, andstarts transmitting the music
`principles embodied in the present invention. Each audio-
`signals in wireless encoded formats that are well knownto
`source device includes a radio transceiver 310 that is con-
`those skilled in the art. Headset 400 receives the signals and
`plays the music on the headset speaker(s) 220. In accordance
`trolled by a microprocessor 320. The audio-electronics inter-
`face 330 provides the microprocessor with digital signals
`with step 540, the user next receives an incomingcell phone
`420 call; and instructs the headset 400 to switch over to the
`corresponding,
`to the audio signals of the audio-source
`device 300. For instance, in a music player the signals will
`cell phone by either pressing a key or uttering an instruction
`correspond to the music being played andin a cellular phone
`into the microphone 230. In accordance with step 550 and
`the signals will correspond to the voice input. The micro-
`responsive to the prior step, the headset 400 sends a ‘Stop
`processor transmits the digital audio signals to the wireless
`‘lransmission’ messageto the music player 410, and sends a
`headset 200 via the radio transceiver 310. Similarly, radio-
`‘Start Communication’ message to the cell phone. In each
`encoded signals corresponding to instruction codes and
`case, the respective device identification code is utilized to
`
`9
`
`

`

`US 2002/0068610 Al
`
`Jun. 6, 2002
`
`address the respective device. In accordance with step 560,
`the communication link between the headset 400 and cell
`
`phone 420 is established.
`
`FIG.6 is a representation of an embodimentof the
`[0020]
`invention in which a plurality of audio source
`present
`devices’ content are multiplexed. In the instant ime division
`multiplexing
`embodiment,
`each
`audio-source
`device
`receives from the headset and transmits to the headset in a
`
`designated time slot as shownillustratively in FIG. 6. For
`the purpose of illustration and not
`limitation, only two
`consecutive time slots are shownin the figure; however,it is
`known that time division multiplexing is performed in a
`repetitive modulo manner. Furthermore,
`in practice,
`the
`number of source devices utilized for multiplexing source
`contentis not limited to merely two devices, but may include
`a plurality of source devices. Within each timeslot allocated
`to an audio-source device, a first part (e.g., 600,620) is used
`for transmission from the headset to the device and a second
`part (e.g., 610,630) is used for transmission from the audio-
`source device to the headset. Thus, bidirectional communi-
`cation between the headset and any included audio-source
`device is enabled. Within this scheme,
`the headset may
`receive the audio signal streams from several audio-source
`devices at
`the same time and selectively play through
`speaker(s) 220, or alternatively the two or more audio signal
`streams may be mixed for simultaneous reproduction over
`speaker(s) 220.
`
`{0021] Although the preceding description assumes the
`use of a single output device or user interface (e.g.—
`earphones), the principles of present invention also encom-
`pass embodiments in which a plurality of user interface
`devices are utilized. For example,
`in an embodiment in
`which an audio recorderis used, the headset is continuously
`linked to an audio-recorder through wireless connectivity.
`Whenthe user desires to record a conversation, the headset
`sends the audio stream to the audio-recorder in addition to
`playing it on the speaker(s). The audio-recording device can
`also be a stand-alone device such as a PC.
`
`[0022] Also, while only audio-sources are assumed in the
`above description, it may be noted that this invention is not
`limited in scope only to audio-streams. In general, what is
`communicated over the wireless medium can be data, dia-
`grams, still or motion pictures. In this case,
`the headset
`would act as an intelligent routing or switching device. For
`example, a user may downloada file from a PC to a palmtop
`device through the headset router. First, the headset is linked
`to the PC and the palmtop. The user then establishes a data
`connection link between the palmtop and the PC. Then, a
`download command issued through the palmtop downloads
`the file into the palmtop. Further, with the advent of wear-
`able display devices, it is possible for the routing headset
`device to switch the image part of an input stream to the
`wearable display device, and the audiopart to the speaker(s).
`Thus, the user can use the headset to route multiple input
`sources to multiple output devices in general. Also, in this
`role, the routing device need not necessarily be worn onthe
`head, but just carried by the user as a portable device.
`Furthermore, the device may include the capability to be
`programmedfor specific action based on certain rules stored
`in a rules-basis engine, whether preprogrammed or pro-
`grammed by the user. For example,
`the device may be
`programmedto automatically play a recorded message when
`
`the useris already busy with anothercall, or it could be made
`to automatically connect to an incoming call when the user
`is listening to music.
`[0023] The previous description merely illustrates the
`principles of the invention. It will thus be appreciated that
`those skilled in the art will be able to devise various
`
`arrangements which, although not explicitly described or
`shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and
`are included within its spirit and scope.
`lan-
`(0024] Furthermore, all examples and conditional
`guagerecited herein are principally intended expressly to be
`only for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in under-
`standing the principles of the invention and the concepts
`contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are
`to be construed as being without limitation to such specifi-
`cally recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all state-
`ments herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments
`of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are
`intended to encompass both structural and functional
`equivalents thereof. Additionally,
`it is intended that such
`equivalents include both currently known equivalents as
`well as equivalents developed in the future, 1e., any ele-
`ments developed that perform the same function, regardless
`of structure.
`
`[0025] Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those
`skilled in the art that the block diagrams herein represent
`conceptual views of illustrative circuitry embodying the
`principles of the invention. Similarly, it will be appreciated
`that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transition dia-
`grams, pseudocode, and the like represent various processes
`which may be substantially represented in computer read-
`able medium and so executed by a computer or processor,
`whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly
`shown.
`
`[0026] The functions of the various elements shownin the
`FIGS. , including functional blocks labeled as “processors”
`may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as
`well as hardware capable of executing software in associa-
`tion with appropriate software. When provided by a proces-
`sor, the functions may be provided by a single dedicated
`processor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of
`individual processors, some of which may be shared. More-
`over, explicit use of the term “processor” or “controller”
`should not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware
`capable of executing software, and may implicitly include,
`withoutlimitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware,
`read-only memory (ROM) for storing software, random
`access memory (RAM), and non-volatile storage. Other
`hardware, conventional
`and/or custom, may also be
`included.
`
`In the claims hereof any element expressed as a
`[0027]
`means for performing a specified function is intended to
`encompass any way of performing that function including,
`for example, a) a combination of circuit elements which
`performsthat function or b) software in any form,including,
`therefore, firmware, microcode or the like, combined with
`appropriate circuitry for executing that software to perform
`the function. The invention as defined by such claimsresides
`in the fact that the functionalities provided by the various
`recited means are combined and brought together in the
`mannerwhichthe claimscall for. Applicant thus regards any
`means which can provide those functionalities as equivalent
`as those shownherein.
`
`10
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`10
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`

`

`US 2002/0068610 Al
`
`Jun. 6, 2002
`
`Whatis claimed is:
`1. A wearable device comprising:
`
`a user interface apparatus;
`
`a wireless transceiver for transport of content between
`said user interface device and a plurality of source
`devices;
`
`a switching module, coupled to and interposed between
`said user interface apparatus and said wireless trans-
`ceiver, for selecting specified ones from said plurality
`of source devices for wireless coupling with said user
`interface.
`2. The device of claim 1 wherein said user interface
`
`apparatus is an audio transducer.
`3. The device of claim 2 wherein said audio transduceris
`
`a speaker.
`4. The device of claim 2 wherein said audio transducer is
`
`an earpiece.
`5. The device of claim 2 wherein said audio transduceris
`
`at least one earphone.
`6. The device of claim 2 wherein said audio transduceris
`a microphone.
`7. The device of claim 1 wherein said user interface
`
`apparatus is a video display.
`8. The device of claim 1 wherein said user interface
`apparatus is a voice recognition module.
`9. The device of claim 1 wherein said user interface
`
`apparatus is a touch-pad surface.
`10. The device of claim 1 wherein said user interface
`
`apparatus is a biometric device.
`11. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of said
`plurality of source devices is a cellular phone.
`12. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of said
`plurality of source devices is a personal computer.
`13. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of said
`
`plurality of source devices is a personal digital assistant.
`
`14. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of said
`plurality of source devices is an audio device.
`15. The device of claim 14 wherein said audio device is
`
`a cassette player.
`16. The device of claim 14 wherein said audio device is
`a radio.
`17. The device of claim 14 wherein said audio device is
`a compact disc player.
`18. The device of claim 1 further comprising:
`
`a plurality of user interface apparatuses,
`
`wherein selection of connectivity between ones of said
`plurality of user interface apparatuses and ones of said
`plurality of source devices is accomplished using said
`switching module.
`19. The device of claim 18 wherein said selection of
`
`connectivity is accomplished utilizing a hierarchical rules-
`basis engine driving said switching module.
`20. An apparatus for delivering multiple audio outputs to
`a commontransducer comprising:
`
`a transceiver adapted to receive a plurality of wireless
`signal
`transmissions from a respective plurality of
`signal producing equipment;
`
`a microprocessorfor selecting at least one of said plurality
`of wireless signal transmissions from said plurality of
`signal producing equipment;
`
`an audio signal processor for converting said at least one
`of said plurality of wireless signal transmissionsinto at
`least one audio output signal; and
`
`a transducer for converting said at least one audio output
`signal into an audible output soundwave.
`
`11
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`11
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`