Modular headset for cellphone or MP3 player

• US 20030073460A1
• Filed: 10/16/2001
• Published: 04/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: van Pelt, Engelbert, Griffiths, Jonathan
• Application Number:
  US09/981,190
• Publication Number:
  US 20030073460A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1033 Cables or cables storage, e.g. cable reels cord reels per se H02G11/02; arrangements for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of conductors or cables B65H75/34; extensible conductors or cables, e.g. self-coiling cords H01B7/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1041 Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements switches in general H01H
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/033 Headphones for stereophonic communication details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10

Abstract

A modular headset comprises a first unit that has first and second operational modes. In the first operational mode, the unit has a stand-alone functionality and serves as a wireless earpiece of a mobile phone. To this end, the first unit has Bluetooth processing means onboard. In the second mode, the first unit is connected to a second unit, the latter being an earpiece for the other ear. The second unit has processing power onboard for generating stereo audio when coupled with an MP3 player. Resources of the second unit are shared with the first unit in the second operational mode.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising a headset with a first unit that has:

a first interface for receiving a first input signal;

a processor for processing the first input signal to generate a first audio signal in a first operational mode of the first unit;

a second interface for receiving a second input signal in a second operational mode, different from the first operational mode, of the headset for generating a second audio signal.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the unit in the first operational mode has a stand-alone functionality.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the headset has a second unit for connecting to the second interface;

the second unit has a second processor for generating the second input signal; and

the second operational mode of the first unit involves cooperation with the second unit.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein:

at least the first unit or the second unit has a power source; and

the first and second units share the power source in the second operational mode.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein:

at least the first unit or the second unit has a memory; and

the first and second units functionally share the memory in the second operational mode.

6. The device of claim 3, wherein:

at least the first or the second unit has a processor; and

the first and second units functionally share the processor in the second operational mode.

7. The device of claim 3, wherein

at least the first or the second unit has a user interface for enabling a user to control at least the first or the second audio signal;

and

the first and second units functionally share the user control in the second operational mode.

8. The device of claim 2, wherein the first unit functions in the first operational mode as an earpiece for a mobile phone.

9. The device of claim 8, equipped with a transceiver for wirelessly communicating with the mobile phone.

10. The device of claim 3, wherein the first unit functions in the second operational mode as an earpiece for one channel of stereo audio generated by the second unit.

11. The device of claim 3, wherein:

each of the first and second units comprises respective Bluetooth communication components;

each of the first and second units has a respective MAC address; and

when in the second operational mode, a specific one of the first and second units assumes a role of a master and the other unit assumes a role of a slave determined by the respective MAC addresses.

12. A first headset unit comprising:

a first interface for receiving a first input signal;

a processor for processing the first input signal to generate a first audio signal in a first operational mode of the first unit;

a second interface for receiving a second input signal in a second operational mode, different from the first operational mode, of the headset for generating a second audio signal.

13. The first headset unit of claim 12, comprising a transceiver for wirelessly communicating with a mobile phone.

14. The first headset unit of claim 12, operative to switch between the operational modes under control of the second interface.

15. A second headset unit for upon connection to an interface of a first headset unit sharing a resource of the second headset unit.

16. The second headset unit of claim 15, comprising a stereo audio processor.