Methods and apparatus for wireless stereo audio

• US 20080152160A1
• Filed: 11/30/2007
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: WBL Corporation Limited (Yanlord Land Group Limited)
• Original Assignee: WBL Corporation Limited (Yanlord Land Group Limited)
• Inventors: Liou, Hsu-Kuang, Chew, Kok-Kia, Gong, Tianbing
• Application Number:
  US11/998,562
• Publication Number:
  US 20080152160A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/71.6
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/61 for local area broadcast, e.g. instore broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/80 characterised by transmission among terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1083 Reduction of ambient noise active noise reduction per se G10K11/175; protective devices for the ear, e.g. providing acoustic protection A61F11/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/11 Transducers incorporated or for use in hand-held devices, e.g. mobile phones, PDA's, camera's
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/033 Headphones for stereophonic communication details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10

Abstract

One aspect disclosed herein pertains to wireless audio transmission to a series of headset receivers in a daisy chain. Another aspect relates to a wireless headset with integrated audio outputs so that amplified audio may be made available to one or more persons without the use of head-phone or ear-bud listening devices. Another aspect pertains to a wireless headset with an integrated mini-loudspeaker for incoming cell phone calls. Another aspect relates to a wireless headset with both noise cancellation and external voice enhancement features. Yet another aspect relates to a wireless device configured to receive an audio or voice signal and to re-transmit the signal. Other aspects, features and embodiments are also disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method of wireless audio transmission to multiple wireless headsets, the method comprising:

transmitting an audio signal from an initial wireless audio transmitter to a wireless receiver in a first wireless headset;

transferring the audio signal from the wireless receiver in the first wireless headset to a wireless transmitter in the first wireless headset; and

transmitting the audio signal from the wireless transmitter in the first wireless headset to a wireless receiver in a second wireless headset.

2. A method of wireless audio transmission to multiple wireless headsets, the method comprising wireless transmission of an audio signal to a series of wireless headsets in a daisy chain manner.

3. A wireless headset, the headset comprising:

a wireless receiver configured to receive an audio signal; and

a wireless transmitter configured to re-transmit the audio signal or version thereof.

4. A detachable ear piece for a wireless headset, wherein the detachable ear piece comprises a wireless transmitter for transmission of an audio signal.

5. A wireless headset, the headset comprising:

a wireless receiver configured to receive an audio signal; and

an audio output port.

6. The wireless headset of claim 5, wherein the headset further comprises an audio input port such that the headset is operable in wired or wireless modes.

7. A wireless headset comprising:

a wireless receiver electronics configured to receive an audio signal; and

a mini-speaker coupled to the wireless receiver electronics; and

control circuitry configured such that when an incoming call is received on a cell phone associated with the wireless headset, a ring tone or vibration is emitted from the mini-speaker in the headset.

8. A wireless headset comprising:

a wireless receiver electronics configured to receive a first audio signal;

an ear cup;

a microphone coupled to the ear cup;

noise cancellation circuitry coupled to receive a signal from the microphone and configured to generate a second audio signal therefrom; and

voice enhancement circuitry coupled to receive the signal from the microphone and configured to generate a third audio signal therefrom.

9. A method of providing a modified audio signal to a user using a headset, the method comprising

receiving an audio signal;

receiving a signal from a microphone relating to external sounds picked up by the microphone;

generating a noise-cancellation signal from the signal from the microphone;

generating a voice-enhancement signal from the signal from the microphone; and

forming the modified audio signal using any number of signals from a group of signals including the audio signal, the noise-cancellation signal, and the voice-enhancement signal.

10. A wireless device configured to receive an audio or voice signal and to re-transmit the signal.

11. The wireless device of claim 10, further comprising a processor for enhancing the signal prior to re-transmission.

12. The wireless device of claim 10, further comprising both a wireless receiver and at least one audio input port.

13. The wireless device of claim 12, further comprising both a wireless transmitter and at least one audio output port.

14. The wireless device of claim 13, further comprising a clip for attachment of the device.