Headset cellular telephones

• US 20040001588A1
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Published: 01/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tommy Lee Hairston
• Original Assignee: Tommy Lee Hairston
• Inventors: Hairston, Tommy Lee
• Granted Patent: US 7,242,765 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/419
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/05 specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/271 controlled by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use

Abstract

Headset cellular phones which may be worn continually and use voice recognition/speech activation for dialing telephone numbers and controlling other aspects of operation. Cell phones according to the present invention can include a microphone and preferably include both internal and external speakers to allow the user to communicate unobtrusively, check voice mail and conduct other activities while at the same time being able to hear ambient noise in the environment. Voice recognition/speech command functionally may also be used to generate and send touch tone or DTMF tones such as in response to call trees or voice recognition/speech activation functionality used by airlines, credit card companies, voice mail systems, and other applications.

Claims

1. A headset communications device, comprising:

a. a body including an earpiece, radio communications circuitry, telephony circuitry and circuitry to recognize and act upon commands given in human speech; and

b. a strap adapted to mount the device on the human head;

c. whereby a user of the device is able to dial telephone numbers, make and terminate telephone calls, and cause the device to send touch tone signals without using the hands.

2. A device according to claim 1 in which the earpiece includes an internal speaker and an external speaker, the external speaker adapted to allow a user to issue voice commands to the device and to produce sounds which can be heard by the user while the device is not worn by the user.

3. A device according to claim 2 in which the external speaker is adapted to receive ambient sounds for replication in the internal speaker.

4. A device according to claim 1 in which the strap is adjustable to fit the neck of a human.

5. A device according to claim 1 in which the strap is adjustable to fit the head of a human.

6. A device according to claim 1 in which the strap is adapted to hold the body on the head and position it adjacent an ear of a user while the strap remains inconspicuous.

7. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a porthole which is adapted to be opened and closed upon voice command, the porthole also adapted when open to allow a user to hear ambient noise.

8. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a microphone connected to the body by a boom, the boom adapted to position the microphone in the vicinity of a user'"'"'s mouth.

9. A device according to claim 8 in which the boom contains a switch adapted to allow a user to select between off hook and on hook states.

10. A device according to claim 1 further comprising an ear support adapted to support the body using the ear of a user.

11. A headset communications device adapted for handsfree operation, comprising:

a. a body including an internal speaker, telecommunications circuitry and voice recognition/speech activation circuitry for receiving and acting on commands issued by human voice;

b. an adjustable strap connected to the body, the strap adapted to mount the device on the head of a user so that the internal speaker is positioned adjacent an ear;

c. a microphone mounted on a support which support is connected to the body;

d. whereby the device is adapted to dial numbers, make and terminate calls and generate and send touch tones as commanded by the user'"'"'s voice, without use of any keypad or tactile input from the user.

12. A device according to claim 11 in which the strap is adapted to extend around portions of the user'"'"'s head.

13. A device according to claim 11 in which the strap is adapted to extend around portions of the user'"'"'s neck.

14. A device according to claim 11 in which the strap contains an antenna.

15. A device according to claim 11 in which the strap is at least partially retractable.

16. A device according to claim 11 further comprising an external speaker adapted to allow a user to issue voice commands to the device and to produce sounds which can be heard by the user while the device is not worn by the user.

17. A device according to claim 16 in which the external speaker is adapted to receive ambient sounds for replication in the internal speaker.

18. A device according to claim 16 in which the microphone boom contains a switch.

19. A headset communications device adapted for handsfree operation, comprising:

a. a body including an internal speaker and an external speaker, telephony circuitry, radiocommunications circuitry and voice recognition/speech activation circuitry for receiving and acting on commands issued by human voice;

b. an adjustable strap connected to the body, the strap adapted to mount the device on the head of a user so that the internal speaker is positioned adjacent an ear;

c. a microphone mounted on a support which support is connected to the body;

d. whereby the device is adapted to dial numbers, make and terminate calls and generate, send touch tones, and be programmed and turned on and off as commanded by the user'"'"'s voice, without use of any keypad or tactile input from the user.

20. A device according to claim 19 in which the device is adapted to operate as a cell phone or a wireless phone which is adapted to communicate with a base station.