Display headset

• US 7,620,433 B2
• Filed: 01/15/2003
• Issued: 11/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GN Netcom Incorporated (GN Store Nord A/S)
• Original Assignee: GN Netcom Incorporated (GN Store Nord A/S)
• Inventors: Bodley, Martin R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid; Lester
• Assistant Examiner(s): DOAN, PHUOC HUU
• Application Number:
  US10/346,396
• Publication Number:
  US 20040137967A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,498 Days
• Field of Search: 455/426.1, 455/456, 455/575.1, 455/566, 455/420, 455/575.2, 455/41, 455/424, 455/90.1, 705/3, 341/108, 370/310
• US Class Current: 455/575.2
• 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

Abstract

A wireless headset with an integral display is provided, the headset capable of communicating via a wireless network to a cellular telephone, cellular telephone adaptor, land-line telephone, land-line telephone adaptor, computer, personal digital assistant, or other device capable of communicating via the wireless network. The wireless headset of the invention includes an input transducer (e.g., a microphone), an output transducer (e.g., a speaker), a wireless networking subsystem and a controller/controller interface. The headset may also include means for attaching the headset to the user in order to allow hands-free operation. The integral display, fabricated using any of a variety of suitable technologies, allows headset and system information to be displayed (e.g., battery levels, signal levels, call status, caller identification, incoming call alert, current time, current date, elapsed use time, etc.). The integral display can also be used to aid headset/system configuration (e.g., headset volume, voice dialing, ring mode, roaming mode, etc.). The integral display can also provide added functionality to the headset (e.g., phone lists, text messages, calendar functions, appointment and/or task lists, etc.).

Claims

1. A wireless headset, comprising:

a housing;

an input transducer coupled to said housing;

an output transducer coupled to said housing;

a wireless networking module contained within said housing and adapted to transmit first signals via a short distance wireless network to a peripheral electronic device and to receive second signals via said short distance wireless network from said peripheral electronic device, said peripheral electronic device comprising a phone, wherein said first signals are initially received by said input transducer, and wherein said second signals are output by said output transducer after receipt by said wireless networking module;

a display mounted on a surface of said housing and configured to display one or both of status information and configuration feedback information, the status information derived from information transmitted front said peripheral device to said wireless networking module, the status information including one or a combination of a caller identification, a text message, calendar information, phonebook information, appointment information, a task list, a signal level, and a battery level, wherein the configuration feedback information includes one or more of a ring mode, a ring volume, a headset volume, a display mode, voice dialing information, time, date, information for text, and information for configuring a graphic; and

means for attaching said wireless headset to a user.

2. The wireless headset of claim 1, wherein said input transducer is a microphone.

3. The wireless headset of claim 1, wherein said output transducer is a speaker.

4. The wireless headset of claim 1, wherein said wireless networking module is a Bluetooth enabled networking module.

5. The wireless headset of claim 1, wherein said display is capable of indicating an incoming call.

6. The wireless headset of claim 1, wherein said phonebook information comprises a phone list.

7. The wireless headset of claim 1, further comprising at least one controller and a controller interface contained within said housing.

8. The wireless headset of claim 1, further comprising a boom member to which said input transducer is mounted.

9. The wireless headset of claim 8, wherein said boom member is integrated with said housing.

10. The wireless headset of claim 8, wherein said boom member folds relative to said housing.

11. The wireless headset of claim 1, wherein said output transducer is integrated within said housing.

12. The wireless headset of claim 1, wherein said housing contains a battery.

13. The wireless headset of claim 1, wherein said display is adapted to display headset status information.

14. The wireless headset of claim 13, wherein said headset status information includes at least one of headset battery level and headset signal level.

15. The wireless headset of claim 1, wherein said wireless networking module and the peripheral electronic device are configured for use by a user.

16. The wireless headset of claim 1, wherein said peripheral electronic device is capable of being carried by a user.

17. The wireless headset of claim 1, wherein said status information comprises information regarding a call operation.

18. The wireless headset of claim 1, wherein said display is mounted on said surface of said housing such that said display cannot be viewed by a user while the user is wearing said wireless headset.

19. The wireless headset of claim 1. wherein the means for attaching comprises an ear hook.

20. A wireless headset, comprising:

a housing;

a wireless networking module contained within said housing and adapted to transmit first signals via a short distance wireless network to a peripheral electronic device and to receive second signals via said short distance wireless network from said peripheral electronic device, said peripheral electronic device comprising a phone;

a microphone coupled to said housing and coupled to said wireless networking module, wherein said first signals are initially received by said microphone;

a speaker coupled to said housing and coupled to said wireless networking module, wherein said second signals are output by said speaker after receipt by said wireless networking module;

a liquid crystal display coupled to said housing and configured to display one or both of status information and configuration feedback information, the status information derived from information transmitted from said peripheral electronic device to said wireless networking module, the status information including one or a combination of a caller identification, a text message, calendar information, phonebook information, appointment information, a task list, a signal level, and a battery level, wherein the configuration feedback information includes one or more of a ring mode, a ring volume, a headset volume, a display mode, voice dialing information, time, date, information for configuring a text, and information for configuring a graphic; and

means for attaching said wireless headset to a user.

21. The wireless headset of claim 20, wherein said display is adapted to display headset status information.

22. The wireless headset of claim 21, wherein said headset status information includes at least one of headset battery level and headset signal level.

23. The wireless headset of claim 20, wherein said wireless networking module and the peripheral electronic device are configured for use by a user.

24. The wireless headset of claim 20, wherein said peripheral electronic device is capable of being carried by a user.

25. The wireless headset of claim 20, wherein said status information comprises information regarding a call operation.

26. The wireless headset of claim 20, wherein said display is mounted on said surface of said housing such that said display cannot be viewed by a user while the user is wearing said wireless headset.

27. The wireless headset of claim 20, wherein the means for attaching comprises an ear hook.

28. A wireless headset, comprising:

a housing;

a Bluetooth enabled wireless networking module contained with said housing and adapted to transmit first signals via a short distance wireless network to a Bluetooth enabled cellular telephone and to receive second signals via said short distance wireless network from said Bluetooth enabled cellular telephone one wherein said Bluetooth enabled cellular telephone forwards said first signals via a cellular telephone network and wherein said second signals are transmitted to said Bluetooth enabled cellular telephone via said cellular telephone network;

a microphone coupled to said housing and coupled to said Bluetooth enabled wireless networking module, wherein said first signals are initially received by said microphone;

a speaker coupled to said housing and coupled to said Bluetooth enabled wireless networking module, wherein said second signals are output by said speaker after receipt by said Bluetooth enabled wireless networking module;

a controller and a controller interface contained within said housing and coupled to said Bluetooth enabled wireless networking module;

a display coupled to said housing and coupled to said controller interface, said display configured to display one or both of status information and configuration feedback information, the status information derived from information transmitted from said cellular telephone to said wireless networking module, the status information including one or a combination of a caller identification, a text message calendar information, phonebook information, appointment information, a task list, a signal level, and a battery level, wherein the configuration feedback information includes one or more of a ring mode, a ring volume, a headset volume, a display mode, voice dialing information, time, date, information for configuring a text, and information for configuring a graphic; and

means for attaching said wireless headset to a user.

29. The wireless headset of claim 28, wherein said display is adapted to display headset status information.

30. The wireless headset of claim 29, wherein said headset status information includes at least one of headset battery level and headset signal level.

31. The wireless headset of claim 28, wherein said status information comprises information regarding a call operation.

32. The wireless headset of claim 28, wherein said display is mounted on said surface of said housing such that said display cannot be viewed by a user while the user is wearing said wireless headset.

33. The wireless headset of claim 28, wherein the means for attaching comprises an ear hook.