Wireless stereo headset

• US 20070149261A1
• Filed: 12/23/2005
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Huddart, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,627,289 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/575.200
• 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

Systems and methods for a wireless stereo headset are disclosed. The system generally includes a first headset component and a second headset component. Both the first headset component and the second headset component may be wireless devices.

Claims

1. A stereo headset system comprising:

a first wireless component comprising;

a first speaker;

a microphone;

a first wireless communication module;

a second wireless communication module; and

a second wireless component comprising;

a second speaker; and

a third wireless communication module for receiving an audio signal from the second wireless communication module during stereo mode operation.

2. The stereo headset system of claim 1, wherein the first wireless communication module utilizes the Bluetooth standard.

3. The stereo headset system of claim 1, wherein the first wireless communication module utilizes the IEEE 802.11 standard.

4. The stereo headset system of claim 1, wherein the second wireless communication module comprises a magnetic induction transmitter and the third wireless communication module comprises a magnetic induction receiver.

5. The stereo headset system of claim 4, wherein the magnetic induction transmitter and the magnetic induction receiver operate at a frequency range between 1 MHz and 20 MHz.

6. The stereo headset system of claim 5, wherein the magnetic induction transmitter and the magnetic induction receiver operate at a frequency of 13.56 MHz.

7. The stereo headset system of claim 4, wherein the magnetic induction transmitter and the magnetic induction receiver utilize air-cored coils.

8. The stereo headset system of claim 4, wherein the second wireless component is activated when the first wireless component is brought within three inches or contacted with the second wireless component.

9. The stereo headset system of claim 4, wherein the second wireless component further comprises a battery and the magnetic induction receiver receives charging current for the battery from an inductive charger.

10. A headset system comprising:

an electronic device capable of outputting a monaural or a stereo audio signal;

a first headset component for receiving the monaural or the stereo signal from the electronic device; and

a second headset component capable of wireless communications with the first headset component, wherein the second headset component receives the stereo signal or a component of the stereo signal from the first headset component.

11. The headset system of claim 10, wherein the electronic device comprises a cellular telephone or digital music player.

12. The headset system of claim 10, wherein the wireless communications are performed using magnetic induction communication.

13. The headset system of claim 12, wherein the magnetic induction communication operates at a frequency range between 1 MHz and 20 MHz.

14. The headset system of claim 12, wherein the magnetic induction communication operate at a frequency of 13.56 MHz.

15. A method for using a headset system comprising:

providing an electronic device capable of outputting a monoaural or a stereo audio signal;

receiving from the electronic device a stereo audio signal at a first headset component;

decoding the stereo audio signal into a first audio channel and a second audio channel, wherein the first audio channel is output by a first speaker at the first headset component;

transmitting the second audio channel to a second headset component over a wireless link, wherein the second audio channel is output by a second speaker at the second headset component.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the wireless link comprises a magnetic induction link between a magnetic induction transmitter and a magnetic induction receiver.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the electronic device is a cellular telephone.

18. A stereo headset system comprising:

a first wireless headset component comprising;

a first transducer means for outputting a first audio signal;

a second transducer means for receiving an audio signal;

a first wireless communication means for communication with an electronic device;

a second wireless communication means for communication with a second wireless headset component, wherein the second wireless headset component comprises;

a third wireless communication means for receiving a second audio signal;

and

a third transducer means for outputting the second audio signal.

19. A stereo headset system comprising:

an electronic device capable of outputting a monaural or a stereo audio signal;

a first headset component capable of wireless communications with the electronic device for receiving the monoaural or the stereo signal from the electronic device, wherein the first headset component outputs a first stereo channel; and

a second headset component capable of wireless communications with the electronic device for receiving the monaural or the stereo signal from the electronic device, wherein the second headset component outputs a second stereo channel.

20. The stereo headset system of claim 19, wherein the wireless communications utilize the Bluetooth standard.

21. The stereo headset system of claim 19, wherein the wireless communications utilize the IEEE 802.11 standard.

22. The headset system of claim 19, wherein the electronic device comprises a cellular telephone or digital music player.