Handset with docking headset

• US 8,185,168 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2006
• Issued: 05/22/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Chon, Alex, Lee, Ki-Tae
• Primary Examiner(s): DESIR, PIERRE LOUIS
• Application Number:
  US11/421,315
• Publication Number:
  US 20070281660A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,183 Days
• Field of Search: 455/575.2, 381/312, 381/328, 381/329, 381/388, D14/205, D14/223
• US Class Current: 455/575.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0258 for a headset device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection

Abstract

A system is provided that includes a base unit that is operable to transmit data wirelessly. The system includes two or more headsets each operable for wireless communication. At least one of the headsets is operable for wirelessly communicating with the base unit. The headsets are coupleable to the base unit for storage and charging.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a base unit operable to transmit data wirelessly; and

two or more headsets each operable for wireless communication, each headset having a speaker and an audio receiver, at least one of the headsets operable to wirelessly communicate with the base unit, each headset configured to dock in an opening on a back side of the base unit for storage, wherein the two or more headsets are in direct contact with each other when docked in the opening,

wherein the base unit includes a base unit connector and the headsets include a headset connector and wherein the base unit connector and the headset connector are operable to connect to one another when the headsets are coupled to the base unit and wherein the base unit provides an electrical charge to the headsets when the base unit connector and the headset connector are connected.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein a first of the headsets is operable to wirelessly communicate with a second of the headsets.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the base unit is operable to charge the headsets.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the base unit is selected from a group of base units consisting of a mobile telephone, a wireless handset, a personal digital assistant, a handheld computer, and a music player.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the base unit is operable to charge the headsets.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one headset includes an earbud collapsible for coupling to the base unit and operably expandable once removed from the base unit.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the collapsing and expanding of the earbud activates and deactivates the at least one headset.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein a first headset is electrically coupled to a second headset and the first headset is configured to electrically recharge a rechargeable battery of the second headset.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the headsets is operable for use by a user when every other headset is docked in the base unit.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the base unit is further operable to electrically charge a rechargeable component of at least one of the headsets.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the rechargeable component of the at least one headset comprises rechargeable batteries.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein at least one of the headsets and the base unit are coupleable via a cable to electrically recharge a rechargeable battery of the at least one headset.

13. A method for wirelessly providing audio information comprising:

uncoupling a first headset of a plurality of headsets from an opening on a back side of a base unit, each headset having a speaker and an audio receiver, the opening configured to store the plurality of headsets, the plurality of headsets in direct contact with each other when docked in the opening;

attaching the first headset to a user'"'"'s ears;

transmitting the audio information wirelessly from the base unit to the first headset; and

connecting a base unit connector on the base unit to a headset connector on at least the first headset when the at least first headset is placed in an opening on the base unit, and electrically charging the headsets from the base unit when the base unit connector and the headset connector are connected.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

storing the plurality of headsets in the opening on the back side of the base unit; and

charging the plurality of headsets being stored in the base unit.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the base unit is selected from a group of base units consisting of a mobile telephone, a wireless handset, a personal digital assistant, a handheld computer, and a music player.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the base unit is selected from a group of base units consisting of a mobile telephone, a wireless handset, a personal digital assistant, a handheld computer, and a music player.

17. A wireless handset comprising:

a base unit operable to transmit data wirelessly, wherein the base unit does not have an integrated speaker/receiver component; and

a plurality of headsets, each headset operable to communicate wirelessly with the base unit, each headset having a speaker and an audio receiver, each headset configured to dock in an opening on a back side of the base unit for storage, wherein the plurality of headsets are in direct contact with each other when docked in the opening,

wherein the base unit includes a base unit connector and the headsets include a headset connector and wherein the base unit connector and the headset connector are operable to connect to one another when the headsets are coupled to the base unit and wherein the base unit provides an electrical charge to the headsets when the base unit connector and the headset connector are connected.

18. The wireless handset of claim 17, wherein each opening has a size and a shape substantially the same as the size and the shape of its respective headset and each headset is hidden from view in both a side view and a front view of the handset when docked in its respective opening.

19. The wireless handset of claim 17, wherein when a first of the headsets is docked with the base unit, the base unit uses a speaker/receiver on the first headset to produce audible sounds.

20. The wireless handset of claim 18, wherein the base unit is operable to charge the headsets.