System and method for multiple headset integration

• US 8,995,649 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Issued: 03/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Plantronics, Inc. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Koll, Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TUAN DUC
• Application Number:
  US13/802,276
• Publication Number:
  US 20140274004A1
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 379/421, 379/428.02, 379/441, 381/74, 381/119, 381/370, 455/575.2, 700/94
• US Class Current: 379/428.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6008 in the transmitter circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6033 for providing handsfree use or a loudspeaker mode in telephone sets arrangements for preventing acoustic echo H04M9/08

Abstract

Conventional Universal Serial Bus (USB) headsets or other headsets capable of being connected to a digital data port may be connected in a collaborative configuration using a multiple headset integrator. The multiple headset integrator unifies multiple calling parties at a local end point of an audio communication with a remote calling party. Other peripheral communication devices may also be used, and controls may be provided on the multiple headset integrator or control signals may be passed from the headsets or other wearable communication devices.

Claims

1. A multiple headset integrator, comprising:

a first digital data port for exchanging first digital audio data with a first peripheral communication device comprising a first headset having a speaker and a microphone;

a second digital data port for exchanging second digital audio data with a second peripheral communication device comprising a second headset having a speaker and a microphone;

a third digital data port configured to exchange third digital audio data with a telecommunications device that is in communication with a remote source;

a transmit mixer configured to receive first and second digital audio data from first and second headsets and to mix the first and second digital audio data into transmitted third digital audio data to be transmitted to the remote source via the third digital data port; and

a receive distributor configured to receive third digital audio data from the remote source via the third digital data port and to route the received third digital audio data to the first and second digital data ports as received first and second digital audio data.

2. The multiple headset integrator of claim 1, further comprising:

a first user-operable control to mute and unmute the microphone of the first peripheral communication device.

3. The multiple headset integrator of claim 2, further comprising:

a second user-operable control to mute and unmute the microphone of the second peripheral communication device.

4. The integrator of claim 1, wherein the first and second digital data ports comprise sockets and the third digital data port comprises a plug.

5. The integrator of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third data ports are USB ports.

6. A method of integrating audio data for multiple headset devices, comprising:

receiving first audio data at a first digital data port, the first audio data comprising voice audio received from a first peripheral communication device;

receiving second audio data at a second digital data port, the second audio data comprising voice audio received from a second peripheral communication device;

combining the first and second audio data to generate third audio data; and

transmitting the third audio data to a remote communication source or to a communication application for transmission to a remote communication source.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

receiving a signal indicative of actuation of a user control; and

in response to the receipt of the signal, excluding either the first or second audio data from the third audio data.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

detecting connection of the second peripheral communication device to the second digital data port; and

initiating the combining step subsequent to said detecting.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

providing a notification to a user of the detection of the second peripheral device to the second digital data port.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

requiring confirmation by the user prior to initiating the combining step.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the notification includes user-selectable initial parameters.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein a user-selectable initial parameter specifies that a microphone of the second peripheral communication device is to be muted.

13. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

receiving remote audio data from the remote telecommunication device; and

transmitting the remote audio data to both the first and second peripheral communication devices.

14. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

transmitting the first audio data to the second peripheral communication device.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

transmitting the second audio data to the first peripheral communication device.

16. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a machine, cause the machine to perform operations for a multiple headset integrator comprising:

receiving first audio data at a first digital data port, the first audio data comprising voice audio received from a first peripheral communication device;

receiving second audio data at a second digital data port, the second audio data comprising voice audio received from a second peripheral communication device;

combining the first and second audio data to generate third audio data; and

transmitting the third audio data to a remote communication source or to a communication application for transmission to a remote communication source.

17. The storage medium of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise:

receiving a signal indicative of actuation of a user control; and

in response to the receipt of the signal, excluding either the first or second audio data from the third audio data.

18. The storage medium of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise:

detecting connection of the second peripheral communication device to the second digital data port; and

initiating the combining step subsequent to said detecting.

19. The storage medium of claim 18, wherein the operations further comprise:

providing a notification to a user of the detection of the second peripheral device to the second digital data port.

20. The storage medium of claim 19, wherein the operations further comprise:

requiring confirmation by the user prior to initiating the combining step.

21. The storage medium of claim 19, wherein the notification includes user-selectable initial parameters.

22. The storage medium of claim 21, wherein a user-selectable initial parameter specifies that a microphone of the second peripheral communication device is to be muted.

23. The storage medium of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise:

receiving remote audio data from a remote telecommunication device; and

transmitting the remote audio data to both the first and second peripheral communication devices.

24. The storage medium of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise:

transmitting the first audio data to the second peripheral communication device.

25. The storage medium of claim 24, wherein the operations further comprise:

transmitting the second audio data to the first peripheral communication device.