Headset with multiple connections

• US 6,748,095 B1
• Filed: 11/02/1999
• Issued: 06/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: WorldCom, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Goss, Raymond G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): PENDLETON, DIONNE
• Application Number:
  US09/433,608
• Time in Patent Office: 1,680 Days
• Field of Search: 381/370, 381/375, 381/356, 381/374, 381/376, 381/367, 381/358, 381/77, 381/80, 381/81, 381/85, 381/362, 381/390, 381/392, 381/381, 381/182, 381/372, 379/430, 379/433.02, 379/433.03, 379/433.06, 455/78, 455/79, 455/103, 455/104, 455/568, 455/115, 455/126, 455/67.1, 455/500, 455/463, 455/59, 455/51, 455/569, 455/132, 455/133, 455/174.1, 455/194.1, 455/3.06, 455/149, 455/191.3, 455/197.1
• US Class Current: 381/374
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6033 for providing handsfree use or a loudspeaker mode in telephone sets arrangements for preventing acoustic echo H04M9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/107 Monophonic and stereophonic headphones with microphone for two-way hands free communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/01 Input selection or mixing for amplifiers or loudspeakers for hearing aids H04R25/43

Abstract

A headset and a method for using a headset, to communicate with two separate devices. The headset comprises a mounting member for mounting and holding the headset on the head of a wearer, at least a first speaker, and means for connecting the speaker to the mounting member for holding the speaker adjacent an ear of the wearer. The headset further comprises first and second microphones, and a boom member connecting the microphones to the mounting member for holding the microphones adjacent the mouth of the wearer. A signal conducting circuit is provided for transmitting input communication signals from at least the first device to the first speaker, and for transmitting output communications from the first and second microphones to the first and second devices respectively.

Claims

1. A headset for communicating with two separate devices, comprising:

a mounting member for mounting the headset on the head of a wearer;

first and second speakers audibly disposed for the wearer;

first and second microphones disposed in a boom member adjacent to the mouth of the wearer; and

a signal conducting circuit coupling the first device to the first speaker and the first microphone and coupling the second device to the second speaker and the second microphone, the signal conducting circuit being configured for separately muting each of the speakers by automatically reducing volume to a predetermined level.

2. A headset according to claim 1, further comprising:

a control device configured to provide gain control for the first and second microphones and at least one of the speakers.

3. A headset for communicating with two separate devices, comprising:

a mounting member for mounting and holding the headset on the head of a wearer;

at least a first speaker for receiving input communication signals and converting the input communication signals to audible communications for the wearer;

means for connecting the speaker to the mounting member for holding the speaker adjacent to an ear of the wearer;

first and second microphones for receiving audible communications from the wearer and converting the audible communications to output communication signals;

a boom member connecting the microphones to the mounting member for holding the microphones adjacent to the mouth of the wearer;

a signal conducting circuit for transmitting input communication signals from at least the first device to the first speaker, and for transmitting output communications from the first and second microphones to the first and second devices respectively; and

a control device for providing gain control for the first and second microphones and the at least first speaker, wherein the control device further includes volume control for the first and second microphones and the at least first speaker, mute control for automatically reducing volume to a predetermined level, and echo cancellation/suppression.

4. The headset according to claim 3, wherein the signal conducting circuit includes:

means for transmitting output communication signals from the first microphone to the first device without transmitting to the first device any of the output signals from the second microphone; and

means for transmitting output communication signals from the second microphone to the second device without transmitting to the second device any of the output signals from the first microphone.

5. The headset according to claim 3, wherein the signal conducting circuit includes means for separately muting each of the microphones.

6. The headset according to claim 3, wherein the control device further includes first and second control panels each having a plurality of adapters for interconnecting devices.

7. A headset to facilitate communication with a first device and a second device, comprising:

a first speaker configured to provide to the wearer audible information from the first device;

a second speaker configured to provide to the wearer audible information from the second device;

a control device for separately muting each of the speakers and for providing gain control for the first and second microphones and the speaker;

first and second microphones housed in a boom member and configured to provide output signals to the first device and the second device, respectively.

8. A headset to facilitate communication with a first device and a second device, comprising:

first and second speakers, in an earpiece, configured to provide to the wearer audible information from the first device and the second device;

a control device for separately muting each of the speakers by automatically reducing volume to a predetermined level; and

first and second microphones, in a boom member configured to provide output signals to the first device and the second device, respectively.

9. A headset for interfacing a plurality of devices, comprising:

an earpiece housing a plurality of speakers associated with the respective devices; and

a microphone boom extending from the earpiece and housing a plurality of microphones associated with the devices,

wherein the speakers and the respective microphones are controlled independently to relay audible signals corresponding to the devices to a user of the headset.

10. A headset according to claim 9, wherein one of the devices includes a communications device for communicating over a telephone network and another one of the devices includes a computer for supporting calls over a data network.

11. A headset according to claim 9, further comprising:

a signal conducting circuit configured to transmit a signal from one of the microphones to one of the devices without transmitting to the one device a signal from another one of the microphones.

12. A headset according to claim 11, wherein the signal conducting circuit is further configured to separately mute each of the microphones.

13. A headset according to claim 11, wherein the signal conducting circuit is further configured to separately mute each of the speakers.