Directional wireless communication systems

• US 20050009583A1
• Filed: 04/15/2004
• Published: 01/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
• Original Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
• Inventors: Tong, Peter P., Thomas, C. Douglass, Cheung, Kwok Wai
• Granted Patent: US 7,269,452 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/575.600
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/61 for local area broadcast, e.g. instore broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/72 of terrestrial networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0214 Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position combined with translation movement H04M1/0235
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/03 Constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. telephone hand-sets
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/19 Arrangements of transmitters, receivers, or complete sets to prevent eavesdropping, to attenuate local noise or to prevent undesired transmission; Mouthpieces or receivers specially adapted therefor circuit arrangements for preventing eavesdropping H04M1/68; telephone cabinets E04H1/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/605 involving control of the receiver volume to provide a dual operational mode at close or far distance from the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/403 loud-speakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/023 Transducers incorporated in garment, rucksacks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/401 2D or 3D arrays of transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2217/03 Parametric transducers where sound is generated or captured by the acoustic demodulation of amplitude modulated ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/55 Communication between hearing aids and external devices via a network for data exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/405 by combining a plurality of transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/554 using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 27/00 Public address systems circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007; amplifiers H03F
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 1/00 Two-channel systems H04S5/00, H04S7/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 3/00 Systems employing more than two channels, e.g. quadraphonic H04S5/00, H04S7/00 take precedence

Abstract

A wireless communication system based on a directional speaker is disclosed. The system can include an interface unit and a base unit. The audio signals from the speaker can be generated by transforming ultrasonic signals in air. This allows the production of directional audio signals even when the aperture of the speaker has dimensions in the order of a few centimeters. The audio signals from the speaker can be heard hands-free. Further, privacy protection is enhanced. In one embodiment, the interface unit can be attached or integrated to a piece of clothing at the shoulder of the user, with the audio signals from the speaker directed towards one of the user'"'"'s ears. The wireless communication system can be applied to a number of different areas, including a communication device, such as a cell phone; a hearing aid; an entertainment system; and a computation system, such as a personal digital assistant or a computer. The wireless communication system can be personalized to the hearing characteristics of the user, or to the ambient noise level of the environment.

Claims

1. A wireless communication system for a being comprising:

a directional speaker attachable to the clothing worn by the being;

a microphone; and

a base unit coupled to both the speaker and the microphone to allow the being to use the system to communicate wirelessly with another communication device;

wherein

signals emitted from the speaker are directed towards at least one ear of the being from the worn position of the speaker;

the wireless communication system can be operated hands-free; and

the signals are directional to allow communication with enhanced privacy.

2. A wireless communication system as recited in claim 1 wherein

the directional speaker generates ultrasonic signals;

and

based on self-demodulation or mixing in air of the ultrasonic signals, audio signals are generated.

3. A wireless communication system as recited in claim 1 wherein the speaker is selected from a group including a piezoelectric thin film, a bimorph and a magnetic transducer.

4. A wireless communication system as recited in claim 1 wherein the speaker is configured on a malleable wire to set the direction of the audio signals.

5. A wireless communication system as recited in claim 1 wherein the speaker is configured in a wedge structure to set the direction of the audio signals.

6. A wireless communication system as recited in claim 1 wherein the speaker is configured in a grating structure to set the direction of the audio signals.

7. A wireless communication system as recited in claim 1 wherein the speaker and the microphone are integrated to the clothing.

8. A wireless communication system as recited in claim 1 wherein the speaker and the microphone couple to the base unit wirelessly.

9. A wireless communication system as recited in claim 1 wherein echo cancellation technique is applied.

10. A wireless communication system as recited in claim 1 wherein the system includes more than one antenna to improve antenna efficiency for wireless communication.

11. A wireless communication system as recited in claim 1 wherein the system can be voice activated.

12. A wireless communication system as recited in claim 1 further includes an indicator for providing an indication that the system is being used to communicate wirelessly with the another communication device.

13. A wireless communication system as recited in claim 1 wherein the base unit is attachable to the clothing.

14. A wireless communication system as recited in claim 1 wherein the system includes a power source that is attachable to the clothing, and is chargeable.

15. A wireless communication system as recited in claim 2 wherein the system includes another mode of operation where the audio signals are generated directly from the speaker.

16. A wireless communication system as recited in claim 15 wherein the another mode of operation is deactivated when the speaker is attached to the clothing.

17. A wireless communication system as recited in claim 1 further comprising another directional speaker attachable to the clothing wherein the audio signals of the another speaker are directed towards another ear of the being from the worn position of that speaker.

18. A wireless communication system as recited in claim 1 wherein the speaker, the microphone and the base unit are integrated into one package, which is attachable to the clothing.

19. A wireless communication system as recited in claim 1 wherein

the base unit includes a monitor;

and

the base unit includes capability to function as a computation device.

20. A wireless communication system as recited in claim 19 wherein the system functions as a notebook computer or a personal digital assistant.

21. A wireless communication system as recited in claim 1 wherein the signals can be personalized based on the hearing characteristics of the being.

22. A wireless communication system as recited in claim 1 wherein the signals can be personalized based on the noise level in the vicinity of the being.

23. A wireless audio system for a being comprising:

a directional speaker attachable to the clothing worn by the being to allow the system to receive audio signals wirelessly from another system;

wherein

the wireless audio system can be operated hands-free;

the audio signals from the another system is not broadcasted to be heard by others in proximity with the being; and

signals emitted from the speaker are directed towards at least one ear of the being from the worn position of the speaker so that the audio signals are directional to allow receiving the signals with reduced chance of disturbing others in proximity with the being.

24. A portable computing system for a user comprising:

a directional speaker, which generates ultrasonic signals that are transformed in air to produce audio signals;

a microphone; and

a base unit with a monitor, coupled to both the speaker and the microphone, to allow the user to use the system to communicate wirelessly with another communication device;

wherein

signals emitted from the speaker are directed towards the user from the position the system is typically used;

the user can communicate with another communication device without the need to take the user'"'"'s hands off the computing system;

the system is enabled for high-speed data as well as voice communication with a network; and

the signals are directional to allow communication with enhanced privacy.