Controlling a wireless device with a wireless headset

• US 8,238,967 B1
• Filed: 07/03/2007
• Issued: 08/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Inventors: Arnold, Thomas A., Oross, Glen Allen, Lieberman, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Hu, Jinsong
• Assistant Examiner(s): HTUN, SAN A
• Application Number:
  US11/773,230
• Time in Patent Office: 1,862 Days
• Field of Search: 455/574, 455/73, 455/41.2, 455/51.3, 455/556.1, 455/550.1, 455/556.2, 455/557, 455/564, 455/566, 455/569.1, 455/90.3, 455/552.1, 455/553.1, 455/573, 4555751-5759, 455/151.2, 455342-350, 704/275, 345156-184, 381/370, 381/306, 381/109, 381/308, 361/600, 361/608, 361/616, 361/617, 361/667, 361/679.03, 361/679.27, 361/679.3, 361/679.38, 361/679.41, 361724-727, 361/730, 361/731
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0216 Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0258 for a headset device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection

Abstract

A wireless communication apparatus that comprises a wireless device and a wireless headset is described. Additionally, a method for controlling the operations of a wireless communications apparatus is also described. The wireless device is configured to communicate with at least one remote base station using at least one communication standard. The wireless device is configured to perform at least one local application by locally processing computer instructions. The wireless headset is communicatively coupled to the wireless device and comprises a headset communications module, a headset selection means, and a headset display. The headset wireless communications module is configured to wirelessly communicate with the wireless device. The headset scrolling wheel is configured to control the local application on the wireless device from the headset. The headset display is configured to present a synchronized output that is synchronized with the local application that is executed on the wireless device.

Claims

1. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a wireless device comprising a wireless device display, the wireless device configured to communicate with at least one remote base station using at least one communication standard, the wireless device configured to perform a plurality of local applications by locally processing computer instructions,

the plurality of local applications comprising;

a contacts list that is stored on the wireless device, and

a plurality of audio files that are stored on the wireless device; and

a wireless headset communicatively coupled to the wireless device, the wireless headset comprising,

a headset wireless communications module that is configured to communicate with the wireless device,

a headset scrolling wheel configured to control the plurality of local applications on the wireless device from the headset, wherein an input received from the headset scrolling wheel results in scrolling on the wireless device display,

a headset display configured to present a synchronized output that is synchronized with the local application that is executed on the wireless device;

wherein the contacts list is displayed on the headset display and the headset scrolling wheel controls the selection of a contact from the contacts list, wherein a selected contact is displayed simultaneously on the headset display and the wireless device display;

wherein each title for each audio file is displayed on the headset display and the headset scrolling wheel is configured to control the selection of the audio file, wherein a selected audio file is displayed simultaneously on the headset display and the wireless device display; and

wherein the wireless device comprises a clam shell housing having a flip housing portion and a base housing portion, and the wireless headset comprises a speaker that faces the base housing portion when the clam shell housing is closed, the speaker configured to generate audio signals when the clam shell housing is open and when the wireless headset is separated from the wireless device.

2. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 1 wherein the headset scrolling wheel is configured to communicate an instruction that initiates a voice call to the selected contact.

3. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wireless device comprises a device camera disposed on the wireless device, the device camera configured to be remotely controlled with the headset scrolling wheel.

4. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a headset speaker on the wireless headset, the headset speaker configured to generate audio signals when the wireless headset is coupled to the wireless device and when the wireless headset is separated from the wireless device.

5. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a headset battery that is charged when the wireless headset is proximate to the wireless device.

6. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a wireless device comprising a wireless device display, the wireless device configured to communicate with at least one remote base station using at least one communication standard, the wireless device configured to perform a plurality of local applications by locally processing computer instructions,

the plurality of local applications comprising;

a contacts list that is stored on the wireless device, and

a plurality of audio files that are stored on the wireless device; and

a wireless headset releasably coupled to the wireless device, the wireless headset comprising,

a headset wireless communications module that is configured to communicate with the wireless device,

a headset selection means configured to control the plurality of local applications on the wireless device from the headset, wherein an input received from the headset selection means results in scrolling on the wireless device display,

a headset display configured to present a synchronized output that is synchronized with the local application that is executed on the wireless device, and

a headset battery that is charged when the wireless headset is proximate to the wireless device;

wherein the contacts list is displayed on the headset display and the headset selection means controls the selection of a contact from the contacts list, wherein a selected contact is displayed simultaneously on the headset display and the wireless device display;

wherein each title for each audio file is displayed on the headset display and the headset selection means is configured to control the selection of the audio file, wherein a selected audio file is displayed simultaneously on the headset display and the wireless device display; and

wherein the wireless device comprises a clam shell housing having a flip housing portion and a base housing portion, and the wireless headset comprises a speaker that faces the base housing portion when the clam shell housing is closed, the speaker configured to generate audio signals when the clam shell housing is open and when the wireless headset is separated from the wireless device.

7. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 6 wherein the headset scrolling wheel is configured to communicate an instruction that initiates a voice call to the selected contact.

8. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 6 wherein the wireless device comprises a device camera disposed on the wireless device, the device camera configured to be remotely controlled with the headset selection means.

9. A method for controlling the operations of a wireless communications apparatus, the method comprising:

releasably coupling a wireless headset to a wireless device comprising a wireless device display, wherein the wireless headset comprises a speaker that communicates audio signals when the wireless headset is coupled to the wireless device and when the wireless headset is separated from the wireless device;

locally processing computer instructions for a plurality of local applications on the wireless device,

the plurality of local applications comprising;

a contacts list, wherein the wireless device is configured to communicate with at least one remote base station using at least one communication standard, and

a plurality of audio files stored on the wireless device;

storing a contacts list on the wireless device;

controlling the local application running on the wireless device from the wireless headset, the controlling the plurality of local applications comprising;

selection of a contact from the contacts list with a headset selection means, wherein a selected contact is displayed simultaneously on the headset display and the wireless device display, and

selection of the audio file with the headset selection means, wherein a selected audio file is displayed simultaneously on the headset display and the wireless device display;

wherein the wireless headset comprises a headset wireless communications module that is configured to communicate computer instructions generated by the headset selection means that controls the local application on the wireless device; and

displaying a synchronized output on a headset display, the displayed synchronized output comprising a contacts list and each title for each audio file, in which the synchronized output is synchronized with the local application that is executed on the wireless device, wherein an input received from the headset selection means results in scrolling on the wireless device display; and

wherein the wireless device comprises a clam shell housing having a flip housing portion and a base housing portion, and the wireless headset comprises a speaker that faces the base housing portion when the clam shell housing is closed and wherein the speaker generates audio signals when the clam shell housing is open and when the wireless headset is separated from the wireless device.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprises initiating a voice call to the selected contact after receiving an instruction from the wireless headset to initiate the voice call.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising remotely controlling a device camera disposed on the wireless device with the headset selection means.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising receiving an instruction from the wireless headset that controls the local application that is being processed by the wireless device.