User interface for wireless headset on a gaming console

• US 8,064,972 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2007
• Issued: 11/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: McLoone, Hugh E., Irving, Richard H., Ikeda, John K., Louis Wallace, Deborah Ann, Russo, David W., Smith, Gregory Ray
• Primary Examiner(s): TRINH, TAN H
• Application Number:
  US11/771,280
• Publication Number:
  US 20090005129A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,607 Days
• Field of Search: 455/575.2, 455/41.2, 455/566, 455/569.1, 455/556.1, 455/3.05, 455/462, 455/39, 455/41.3, 455/435.1, 381/390, 381/381, 381/374, 381/74, 463/36, 463/39, 463/43, 463/37, 463/47, 463/40, 463/46, 463/35, 345/157, 340/825, 704/276
• US Class Current: 455/575.2
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/215 comprising means for detecting acoustic signals, e.g. using a microphone
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/28 responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light controlling the output signals based on the game progress A63F13/50
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/533 for prompting the player, e.g. by displaying a game menu
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/87 Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1081 Input via voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/308 Details of the user interface
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/572 Communication between players during game play of non game information, e.g. e-mail, chat, file transfer, streaming of audio and streaming of video
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/74 with voice recognition means
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1041 Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements switches in general H01H
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/105 Earpiece supports, e.g. ear hooks for stereophonic headphones H04R5/0335
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones

Abstract

A wireless headset having a user interface configured to allow the user to utilize the full functionality of the headset while minimizing the number of physical control inputs necessary is described. The user interface may have a user input control that is configured to control more than one function of the headset. The user interface may also provide audio as well as visual outputs to the user to indicate a particular functionality of the headset being controlled by the user or a particular status of the headset.

Claims

1. A wireless headset user interface for use with a gaming console, comprising:

a control configured to receive a first user input comprising an audio command, wherein the first user input controls at least one of a plurality of functions, wherein the control is configurable in response to audio user input to selectively activate at least two of the plurality of functions;

an audio output component configured to generate an audio output corresponding to a first output; and

a visual output component configured to generate a visual output corresponding to a second output.

2. The wireless headset user interface of claim 1, wherein the first user input further comprises pressing a button on the wireless headset.

3. The wireless headset user interface of claim 1, wherein the functions comprise one of volume up, volume down, power on, power off, V-port selection, mute, user reset, and bind.

4. The wireless headset user interface of claim 1, wherein the audio output is a tone cadence or a frequency.

5. The wireless headset user interface of claim 1, wherein the first output is generated from the first user input to control a function.

6. The wireless headset user interface of claim 5, wherein the first user input comprises one of volume up, volume down, mute, the termination of a communication connection, the answering of an outside request for a communication connection, and a V-port confirmation.

7. The wireless headset user interface of claim 1, wherein the first output is generated from a status of the wireless headset.

8. The wireless headset user interface of claim 7, wherein the status is one of a low battery condition and a received outside request for a communication connection at the gaming console.

9. The wireless headset user interface of claim 1, wherein the visual output component comprises one of a plurality of LEDs, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, and an incandescent light.

10. The wireless headset user interface of claim 1, wherein the second output is generated from a status of the wireless headset.

11. The wireless headset user interface of claim 10, wherein the status is one of binding to the gaming console, headset out of wireless communication range of gaming console, headset power on, headset power off, a headset low battery, a V-port assignment, and the progress of charging a headset battery.

12. A wireless headset having a plurality of functions, the wireless headset configured to communicate with a gaming console, the wireless headset comprising:

a battery configured to provide power to the headset;

a speaker disposed within a housing, wherein the speaker is operatively connected to a receiver disposed within the housing, wherein the speaker is positioned over an ear canal opening of a user when the headset is properly oriented;

an audio output device disposed within the housing, wherein the audio output device is operatively connected to the speaker and the receiver of the headset, wherein the audio output device is configured to output an audio signal corresponding to a first output;

a microphone operatively connected to a transmitter disposed within the headset;

a control configured to receive a first user input, wherein the first user input controls at least one of the plurality of functions, wherein the control is configurable in response to input received by the microphone to selectively activate at least two of the plurality of functions; and

a visual output component disposed on the headset and operatively connected to an output control device configured to output a visual signal corresponding to a second output.

13. The wireless headset of claim 12, wherein the audio signal is a tone cadence or a frequency.

14. The wireless headset of claim 12, wherein the first output is generated from a user input to control a function.

15. The wireless headset of claim 14, wherein the first user input comprises one of volume up, volume down, mute, the termination of a communication connection, the answering of an outside request for a communication connection, and V-port selection.

16. The wireless headset of claim 12, wherein the first output is generated from a status of the headset.

17. The wireless headset of claim 16, wherein the status is one of a headset low battery power condition and a received outside request for a communication connection at the gaming console.

18. The wireless headset of claim 12, wherein the control is a depressible button disposed on the wireless headset.

19. The wireless headset of claim 12, wherein the visual output component comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes, wherein the second output is generated from a status of the headset, and wherein the status is one of binding to the gaming console, the headset is out of wireless communication range of the gaming console, the headset power is on, the headset power is off, the battery is low on power, the V-port assignment of the headset, and the progress of charging the battery.

20. A wireless headset configured to communicate with a gaming console, the wireless headset comprising:

a plurality of depressible buttons, wherein the depressible buttons control at least one of a plurality of functions comprising;

headset speaker volume up, headset speaker volume down, headset microphone mute, a termination of a communication connection, an answering of an outside request for a communication connection, and a V-port selection;

a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed on the headset, wherein the light emitting diodes are configured to output a visual signal corresponding to a second output, wherein the second output is generated from a status of the headset, wherein the status is one of a binding to the gaming console, a condition that the headset is out of wireless communication range of the gaming console, a condition that the headset power is on, a condition that the headset power is off, a condition that a battery providing power to the headset is low on power, a V-port assignment of the headset, and the progress of charging a battery configured to provide power to the headset;

a microphone configured to provide audio input to select a function that is controlled by the plurality of depressible buttons; and

a speaker configured to provide an output, wherein the output corresponds to a communication from another headset in communication with the headset, the depression of one of the depressible buttons to turn the volume up, the depression of one of the depressible buttons to turn the volume down, the depression of one of the depressible buttons to mute the microphone, the termination of a communication connection, the answering of an outside request for a communication connection, and the depression of one of the depressible buttons to select a V-port.