APPARATUS AND A METHOD FOR CAUSING A CHANGE IN THE STATE OF A HEADSET

• US 20130038458A1
• Filed: 04/23/2010
• Published: 02/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Toivola, Timo, Knuuttila, Osmo
• Application Number:
  US13/642,074
• Publication Number:
  US 20130038458A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/665
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/05 specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1091 Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/03 Aspects of the reduction of energy consumption in hearing devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0254 detecting a user operation or a tactile contact or a motion of the device
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

An apparatus including a strain sensor configured to sense strain in a connecting part between a first part and a second part of a headset, and a circuitry earpiece configured to cause a change in the state of the headset in accordance with the sensed strain. A corresponding method.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a strain sensor configured to sense strain in a connecting part between a first part and a second part of a headset; and

a circuitry configured to cause a change in the state of the headset in accordance with the sensed strain.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the strain sensor comprises a strain gauge whose electrical resistance is configured to change upon deformation.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to detect a change in the strain via detecting a change in the electrical resistance of the strain sensor.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said causing a change in the state of the headset comprises deactivating the headset.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the deactivation comprises switching power off from the headset.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the deactivation comprises deactivating an active noise cancellation function.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to cause the change in the state of the headset in accordance with a detected change in the sensed strain.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the change leading to the change in the state of the headset is a change from a strained condition to a non-strained condition.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the change in the state of the headset only after a predetermined delay has occurred after a detected change in the sensed strain.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first part and the second part are earpieces, and the connecting part is a spring-like member, such a headband or a neckband, to which the strain sensor is attached.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry is an analog circuitry.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a switch to activate the headset.

13. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is an active noise cancellation headset, a headset for a communication device, a Bluetooth headset, or other wireless headset.

16. A method according to claim 14 or 1-5, wherein said causing a change in the state of the headset comprises deactivating the headset.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the deactivation comprises switching power off from the headset.

18. A method according to claim 16, wherein the deactivation comprises deactivating an active noise cancellation function.

14. A method comprising:

sensing strain with a strain sensor in a connecting part between a first part and a second part of a headset; and

causing a change in the state of the headset based on the sensed strain.

15. A method according to claim 14, comprising:

detecting a change in the strain via detecting a change in the electrical resistance of the strain sensor.

19. A method according to claim 14, comprising:

causing the change in the state of the headset based on a detected change in the sensed strain.

20. A method according to claim 19, comprising:

causing the change in the state of the headset based on a detected change from a strained condition to a non-strained condition.

21. A method according to claim 14, comprising:

causing the change in the state of the headset only after a predetermined delay has occurred after a detected change in the sensed strain.

22. An apparatus comprising:

means configured to sense strain in a connecting part between a first part and a second part of a headset; and

means configured to cause a change in the state of the headset in accordance with the sensed strain.