No-cable stereo handsfree accessory

• US 7,565,179 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2006
• Issued: 07/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications USA Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications USA Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Hyatt, Edward Craig
• Primary Examiner(s): Corsaro; Nick
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lebassi; Amanuel
• Application Number:
  US11/379,818
• Publication Number:
  US 20070249411A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,184 Days
• Field of Search: 4555691-5692, 455/41.1
• US Class Current: 455/569.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection

Abstract

A handsfree accessory for a mobile communication device is provided. The handsfree accessory includes first and second earpieces each having a respective audio transducer, a microphone, and a transceiver. The transceiver is operatively coupled to the respective audio transducers and the microphone, and provides for wireless communication between the handsfree accessory and the mobile communication device.

Claims

1. A handsfree accessory for a mobile communication device, comprising:

first and second earpieces each having a respective audio transducer;

a microphone; and

a transceiver, operatively coupled to the respective audio transducers and the microphone, for providing wireless communication between the handsfree accessory and the mobile communication device;

an electrically conductive wire which carries audio information between the transceiver and the audio transducer of the second earpiece; and

at least one electrical body contact for establishing a virtual ground via the body of a user with respect to the audio information carried on the electrically conductive wire.

2. The handsfree accessory of claim 1, further comprising an earpiece housing integral with the first earpiece and housing the transceiver.

3. The handsfree accessory of claim 2, wherein the second earpiece is coupled to the housing via a tether.

4. The handsfree accessory of claim 3, wherein the tether is retractable.

5. The handsfree accessory of claim 3, wherein the tether comprises the electrically conductive wire which carries audio information between the transceiver and the audio transducer of the second earpiece.

6. The handsfree accessory of claim 5, wherein the tether comprises a pair of electrically conductive wires which carry the audio information between the transceiver and the audio transducer of the second earpiece.

7. The handsfree accessory of claim 3, wherein the tether comprises a light guide which carries audio information between the transceiver and the audio transducer of the second earpiece.

8. The handsfree accessory of claim 3, wherein the tether comprises an optical fiber which carries audio information between the transceiver and the audio transducer of the second earpiece.

9. The handsfree accessory of claim 2, further comprising a wireless link for carrying audio information between the transceiver and the audio transducer of the second earpiece.

10. A handsfree accessory for a device, comprising:

first and second earpieces each having a respective audio transducer;

a receiver, operatively coupled to the respective audio transducers, for providing wireless communication between the handsfree accessory and the device;

an earpiece housing integral with the first earpiece and housing the receiver; and

a non-two-wire communication link which carries audio information between the receiver and the audio transducer of the second earpiece;

wherein the non-two-wire communication link comprises an electrically conductive wire which carries audio information between the transceiver and the audio transducer of the second earpiece, and at least one electrical body contact for establishing a virtual ground via the body of a user with respect to the audio information carried on the electrically conductive wire.

11. The handsfree accessory of claim 10, wherein the non-two-wire communication link comprises a light guide which carries audio information between the transceiver and the audio transducer of the second earpiece.

12. The handsfree accessory of claim 10, wherein the non-two-wire communication link comprises an optical fiber which carries audio information between the transceiver and the audio transducer of the second earpiece.

13. The handsfree accessory of claim 10, wherein the non-two-wire communication link comprises a wireless link for carrying audio information between the transceiver and the audio transducer of the second earpiece.

14. The handsfree accessory of claim 13, wherein the wireless link comprises a radio frequency (RF) link.

15. The handsfree accessory of claim 14, wherein the RF link comprises a near-field RF link.

16. The handsfree accessory of claim 15, wherein the near-field RF link utilizes body conduction of a user.

17. The handsfree accessory of claim 13, wherein the wireless link comprises an optical link.

18. The handsfree accessory of claim 13, wherein the wireless link comprises an IR link.

19. The handsfree accessory of claim 10, wherein the earpiece housing comprises an electrical connector for electrically engaging the second earpiece to enable a battery in the second earpiece to be recharged when a battery in the earpiece housing is recharged.