Movement powered headset

• US 7,646,863 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2006
• Issued: 01/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Johnston, Timothy P.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TUAN DUC
• Application Number:
  US11/604,376
• Publication Number:
  US 20080116849A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,147 Days
• Field of Search: 379/428, 379/430, 379/428.01, 379/428.02, 455/572, 455/573, 381/370, 381/384
• US Class Current: 379/430
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/32 for charging batteries from a charging set comprising a non-electric prime mover rotating at constant speed
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 35/02 with moving magnets and stationary coil systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/05 specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Abstract

An apparatus and method are provided for advantageously powering a headset without a power cable. In one example, a headset includes a processor, an acoustic transducer, and a kinetic energy converter operably coupled to a power cell for powering the headset, the kinetic energy converter capable of converting kinetic energy of the headset into an output charge for charging the power cell. Advantageously, the present disclosure provides for reliably and efficiently powering a headset without having to replace or dock a headset battery and without requiring power cables.

Claims

1. A headset, comprising:

a processor;

an acoustic transducer; and

a kinetic energy converter operably coupled to a power cell for powering the headset, the kinetic energy converter including a conductor trace array and an element that moves relative to the conductor trace array based upon head movement to convert kinetic energy of the headset into an output charge for charging the power cell.

2. The headset of claim 1, further comprising a conductor coil and another element that moves relative to the conductor coil based upon head movement.

3. The headset of claim 1, wherein the element is selected from the group consisting of a rotor, a coil, a magnet, and a flywheel.

4. The headset of claim 3, wherein the element is configured to rotate or pivot.

5. The headset of claim 1, wherein the power cell is operably coupled to a circuit for performing a headset function.

6. The headset of claim 1, further comprising a rechargeable battery operably coupled to the power cell.

7. The headset of claim 1, wherein the element includes a suspended magnet.

8. The headset of claim 1, wherein the element includes a rotor, a spring, and a flywheel.

9. A method of powering a wireless headset, the method comprising:

providing a headset including a processor, an acoustic transducer, and a kinetic energy converter operably coupled to a power cell for powering the headset;

moving an element of the kinetic energy converter relative to a conductor trace array of the kinetic energy converter based upon head movement to convert kinetic energy of the headset into an output charge; and

charging the power cell with the output charge to power a headset function.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the kinetic energy converter includes a magnet and a coil moving relative to one another.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the kinetic energy converter includes one selected from the group consisting of a coil moving relative to a fixed magnet, and a magnet moving relative to a fixed coil.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the kinetic energy converter includes a flywheel moving relative to trace array.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the kinetic energy converter includes a suspended magnet moving relative to the trace array.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising powering the headset with a rechargeable battery operably coupled to the power cell.

15. A headset, comprising:

a processor;

an acoustic transducer; and

a kinetic energy converter operably coupled to a power cell for powering the headset, the kinetic energy converter including a piezoelectric crystal and a mass element that moves based upon head movement to exert a force on the piezoelectric crystal to convert kinetic energy of the headset into an output charge for charging the power cell.

16. The headset of claim 15, wherein the power cell is operably coupled to a circuit for performing a headset function.

17. The headset of claim 15, further comprising a rechargeable battery operably coupled to the power cell.