Directional communication systems

• US 8,208,970 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2009
• Issued: 06/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
• Original Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
• Inventors: Cheung, Kwok Wai, Tong, Peter P., Thomas, C. Douglass
• Primary Examiner(s): TRINH, TAN H
• Application Number:
  US12/462,601
• Publication Number:
  US 20090298430A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,055 Days
• Field of Search: 455/575, 455/41.3, 455/41.1, 455/67.12, 455/66.1, 455/422.1, 455/90.3, 455/575.9, 455/99, 455/137, 455/575.1, 455/569.1, 455/41.2, 455/149, 455/150.1, 455/576.6, 455/556.1, 280/45, 280/735, 381/158, 381/190, 381/387, 381/160, 381/26, 381/92, 381/77, 381/111, 381/191, 381/98, 381/182, 381/60
• US Class Current: 455/569.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/61 for local area broadcast, e.g. instore broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/72 of terrestrial networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0214 Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position combined with translation movement H04M1/0235
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/03 Constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. telephone hand-sets
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/19 Arrangements of transmitters, receivers, or complete sets to prevent eavesdropping, to attenuate local noise or to prevent undesired transmission; Mouthpieces or receivers specially adapted therefor circuit arrangements for preventing eavesdropping H04M1/68; telephone cabinets E04H1/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/605 involving control of the receiver volume to provide a dual operational mode at close or far distance from the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/403 loud-speakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/023 Transducers incorporated in garment, rucksacks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/401 2D or 3D arrays of transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2217/03 Parametric transducers where sound is generated or captured by the acoustic demodulation of amplitude modulated ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/55 Communication between hearing aids and external devices via a network for data exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/405 by combining a plurality of transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/554 using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 27/00 Public address systems circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007; amplifiers H03F
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 1/00 Two-channel systems H04S5/00, H04S7/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 3/00 Systems employing more than two channels, e.g. quadraphonic H04S5/00, H04S7/00 take precedence

Abstract

A wireless communication system based on a directional speaker is disclosed. The system can include an interface unit and a base unit. The audio signals from the speaker can be generated by transforming ultrasonic signals in air. This allows the production of directional audio signals even when the aperture of the speaker has dimensions in the order of a few centimeters. The audio signals from the speaker can be heard hands-free. Further, privacy protection is enhanced. In one embodiment, the interface unit can be attached or integrated to a piece of clothing at the shoulder of the user, with the audio signals from the speaker directed towards one of the user'"'"'s ears. The wireless communication system can be applied to a number of different areas, including a communication device, such as a cell phone; a hearing aid; an entertainment system; and a computation system, such as a personal digital assistant or a computer. The wireless communication system can be personalized to the hearing characteristics of the user, or to the ambient noise level of the environment.

Claims

1. A portable communication apparatus for a user comprising:

a directional speaker that generates ultrasonic signals with at least one ultrasonic wavelength, and with at least a portion of the ultrasonic signals being transformed into audio signals for the user via the air between the speaker and the user,

wherein the directional speaker has one or more devices that emit the ultrasonic signals, and

wherein the maximum dimension of an overall size of the one or more devices is not more than 8.24 times of the at least one ultrasonic wavelength.

2. A portable communication apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the maximum dimension of the apparatus is not more than 3 inches.

3. A portable communication apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the maximum dimension of the apparatus is not more than 6 inches.

4. A portable communication apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

a microphone; and

wireless communication circuitry,

wherein the audio signals are associated with a communication that the user receives via the circuitry and the directional speaker.

5. A portable communication apparatus as recited in claim 4 further comprising an input mechanism that allows the user to enter inputs into the apparatus,

wherein the apparatus allows the user to enter inputs into the apparatus, while communicating using at least the wireless communication circuitry with enhanced privacy via the directional speaker.

6. A portable communication apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a display, wherein the apparatus is configured to allow the user to receive video signals with enhanced privacy via the directional speaker.

7. A portable communication apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the directional speaker includes a plurality of devices, each configured to generate signals in the ultrasonic range.

8. A portable communication apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is installed in a car.

9. A portable communication apparatus as recited in claim 8 further comprising a reflector located in the car, wherein the at least a portion of the ultrasonic signals are configured to be reflected from the reflector to a desired direction or location in the car.

10. A portable communication apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the at least a portion of the ultrasonic signals are configured to be confined to travel in a cavity inside the car before being emitted into free space within the car for the user.

11. A portable communication apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the area of the overall size of the one or more devices is not more than 67.9 times of the square of the at least one ultrasonic wavelength.

12. A portable communication apparatus for a user comprising:

a directional speaker that generates ultrasonic signals, with at least a portion of the ultrasonic signals being transformed into audio signals for the user via the air between the speaker and the user,

wherein the directional speaker has one or more devices that emit the ultrasonic signals, and

wherein the maximum dimension of an overall size of the one or more devices is not more than 3 cm.

13. A portable communication apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the maximum dimension of the apparatus is not more than 3 inches.

14. A portable communication apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the maximum dimension of the apparatus is not more than 6 inches.

15. A portable communication apparatus as recited in claim 12 further comprising:

a microphone; and

wireless communication circuitry,

wherein the audio signals are associated with a communication that the user receives via the circuitry and the directional speaker.

16. A portable communication apparatus as recited in claim 15 further comprising an input mechanism that allows the user to enter inputs into the apparatus,

wherein the apparatus allows the user to enter inputs into the apparatus, while communicating using at least the wireless communication circuitry with enhanced privacy via the directional speaker.

17. A portable communication apparatus as recited in claim 12 further comprising a display, wherein the apparatus is configured to allow the user to receive video signals with enhanced privacy via the directional speaker.

18. A portable communication apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein the directional speaker includes a plurality of devices, each configured to generate signals in the ultrasonic range.

19. A portable communication apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein the apparatus is installed in a car.

20. A portable communication apparatus as recited in claim 19 further comprising a reflector located in the car, wherein the at least a portion of the ultrasonic signals are configured to be reflected from the reflector to a desired direction or location in the car.

21. A portable communication apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein the at least a portion of the ultrasonic signals are configured to be confined to travel in a cavity inside the car before being emitted into free space within the car for the user.

22. A portable communication apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein the area of the overall size of the one or more devices is not more than 9 cm².