Wearable telecommunications apparatus with voice/speech control features

• US 6,236,969 B1
• Filed: 07/31/1998
• Issued: 05/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jonathan P. Ruppert, Kathleen M. Hintz, Thomas M. Hintz
• Original Assignee: Jonathan P. Ruppert, Kathleen M. Hintz, Thomas M. Hintz
• Inventors: Hintz, Thomas M., Ruppert, Jonathan P., Hintz, Kathleen M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Knepper, David D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAX, ROBERT L
• Application Number:
  US09/127,362
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 704/275, 455/79, 455/90, 379/61
• US Class Current: 704/275
• 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 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72502 with one base station connected to a single line
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/737 Characterised by transmission of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. infrared waves
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/10 Earpieces; Attachments therefor ; Earphones; Monophonic headphones H04R1/28 takes precedence; stereophonic headphones H04R5/033
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1025 Accumulators or arrangements for charging secondary cells per se H01M10/00; charging in general H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1041 Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements switches in general H01H
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/107 Monophonic and stereophonic headphones with microphone for two-way hands free communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones

Abstract

A wearable communication apparatus is in the form of a self-contained telephone headset that includes an integral antenna, stand-alone power supply and on-board electronics and circuitry for RF and I/R communication. The headset includes a mouthpiece that is rotatably mounted to a central housing that contains the bulk of the apparatus electronics. The mouthpiece includes an ear speaker and microphone, as well as the rechargeable power supply. The rotating end of the mouthpiece includes an array of electrical contacts that are configured to contact a complementary contact array on the central housing. The electrical contacts provide for the communication of electrical power and information between the mouthpiece and its components and the central housing and its components. The headset can be activated by rotation of the mouthpiece into its operative position and deactivated by rotation out of this position. In the deactivated position, the contact array on the mouthpiece can provided electrical communication with complementary contacts on a base unit. The base unit also provides means for integrating the headset into a local telephone network, The base unit can be connected to the network via a traditional landline, and communicate with the headset via an RF antenna. The headset includes voice recognition capabilities that allow the user to dial telephone numbers, access a memory of stored numbers, and direct certain headset functions simply by spoken commands.

Claims

1. A wearable communications apparatus comprising:

a mouthpiece having a first end and a second end, and including a speaker mounted to said mouthpiece adjacent said first end and a microphone mounted to said mouthpiece adjacent said second end;

a central housing having a top end and a bottom end;

means between said first end of said mouthpiece and said bottom end of said central housing for pivotably mounting said mouthpiece to said central housing, said mouthpiece, including said speaker and said microphone, pivotable to a first position in which said microphone is adjacent the mouth of the user of the apparatus;

a head-band connected to said top end of said central housing and configured for supporting the apparatus on the head of the user;

an antenna; and

electronic communication means for sending and receiving signals through said antenna, said means operable for controlling said speaker in response to received signals and for transmitting signals from said microphone for broadcast over said antenna.

2. The wearable communications apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said mouthpiece includes a first electrical contact array at said first end, said contact array connected to at least said speaker and said microphone; and

said central housing including said electrical communication means and a corresponding second electrical contact array arranged to provide electrical connection of said electrical communication means with said first contact array only when said mouthpiece is in said first position.

3. The wearable communications apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:

said mouthpiece contains a power supply; and

said first and second contact arrays includes a number of contacts in electrical communication with said power supply when said mouthpiece is in said first position, to thereby provide electrical power to said electrical communication means.

4. The wearable communications apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said electronic communications means includes a voice recognition processing unit connectable to said mouthpiece through said first and second contact arrays when said mouthpiece is in said first position,

said voice recognition processing unit operable to translate verbal utterances received by said microphone into electrical signals usable by said electronic communications means.

5. The wearable communications apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a base unit, said base unit having means for connection to an existing telephone network, an antenna and means for transmitting signals from the existing network to the antenna for broadcast to said headset.

6. The wearable communications apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

a base unit having a recharging circuit and a third electrical contact array connected to said recharging circuit and corresponding to said first contact array; and

means, in said base unit, for supporting said mouthpiece when said mouthpiece is rotated to a second position in which said first and second contact arrays are not in electrical contact, and said first and third contact arrays are in electrical contact.

7. The wearable communications apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said mouthpiece includes a power supply electrically connected to said speaker and said microphone.

8. The wearable communications apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said mouthpiece includes a volume control operably connected to said speaker.

9. The wearable communications apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said power supply includes a rechargeable battery.