Headset audio system

• US 9,716,947 B1
• Filed: 01/08/2016
• Issued: 07/25/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Reynolds, Jr., Jack Andrew, Kochalko, Carl Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Edun, Muhammad N
• Application Number:
  US14/991,441
• Publication Number:
  US 20170201832A1
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1041 Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements switches in general H01H
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2430/01 Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in sound systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/033 Headphones for stereophonic communication details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/04 Circuit arrangements, e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S

Abstract

A headset audio system is provided, comprising at least a headset, a control unit, and a control assignment selector, wherein the headset is adapted to provide output audio to a user from at least a first and a second audio signal and the control unit is provided to allow user adjustment of one or more audio parameters and comprises at least a first assignable audio control and a second assignable audio control. To allow the user to select one of the control modes according to the respective application and/or her or his preference, the control assignment selector is configured to switch the assignable audio controls of the control unit between at least a first control mode and second control mode, wherein in said first control mode, the first assignable audio control is configured for adjustment of a main volume of said output audio and the second assignable audio control is configured for adjustment of a mixing level between said at least first and second audio signals; and in said second control mode, the first assignable audio control is configured for adjustment of a volume of said first audio signal, and the second assignable audio control is configured for adjustment of a volume of said second audio signal.

Claims

1. A headset audio system with at least

a headset to provide output audio to a user from at least a first and a second audio signal;

a control unit, provided to allow user adjustment of one or more audio parameters;

said control unit comprising at least

a first assignable audio control, and

a second assignable audio control; and

a control assignment selector, configured to switch the assignable audio controls between at least a first control mode and second control mode;

wherein

in said first control mode, the first assignable audio control is configured for adjustment of a main volume of said output audio and the second assignable audio control is configured for adjustment of a mixing level between said at least first and second audio signals; and

in said second control mode, the first assignable audio control is configured for adjustment of a volume of said first audio signal, and the second assignable audio control is configured for adjustment of a volume of said second audio signal.

2. The headset audio system of claim 1, wherein said control unit is connectable between the headset and an audio source.

3. The headset audio system of claim 2, wherein said control unit is connectable to a detachable playback device of said audio source.

4. The headset audio system of claim 3, wherein said audio source is a game console and the detachable playback device is a game controller.

5. The headset audio system of claim 3, wherein the control unit comprises a housing with a connecting section, the connecting section being adapted to form-fit the detachable playback device.

6. The headset audio system of claim 1, wherein said control assignment selector is formed integrally with said control unit.

7. The headset audio system of claim 1, wherein said headset and said control unit are formed integrally with each other.

8. The headset audio system of claim 1, further comprising an audio processor, said audio processor being connected with the headset and with the control unit to receive one or more of said audio parameters;

said audio processor being configured to process said at least first and second audio signals according to the received audio parameters to obtain an output audio signal and to provide said output audio signal to the headset.

9. The headset audio system of claim 8, wherein the audio processor is connectable to an audio source for receiving said at least first and second audio signals.

10. The headset audio system of claim 8, wherein the audio processor is formed integrally with said control unit.

11. The headset audio system of claim 1, wherein said first and second assignable audio controls are assignable mechanical controls.

12. The headset audio system of claim 1, wherein said first and second assignable audio controls are assignable rotary controls.

13. The headset audio system of claim 12, wherein said assignable rotary controls are arranged in a stacked relationship, so that an axis of rotation of said first assignable rotary audio control at least substantially corresponds to an axis of rotation of said second assignable rotary audio control.

14. The headset audio system of claim 1, wherein said headset comprises a microphone to record user audio.

15. The headset audio system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second audio signals comprises multiple audio channels.

16. The headset audio system of claim 1, configured to provide output audio to a user from at least a first, a second, and a third audio signal.

17. The headset audio system of claim 1, configured for gaming applications, wherein said first audio signal comprises user chat audio and said second audio signal comprises game sound.

18. A control unit for a headset audio system that provides output audio to a user from at least a first and a second audio signal, said control unit comprises at least

a first assignable audio control, and

a second assignable audio control;

wherein

said assignable audio controls are configured to be switched between at least a first control mode and second control mode; and

wherein

in said first control mode, the first assignable audio control is configured for adjustment of a main volume of said output audio and the second assignable audio control is configured for adjustment of a mixing level between said at least first and second audio signals; and

in said second control mode, the first assignable audio control is configured for adjustment of a volume of said first audio signal, and the second assignable audio control is configured for adjustment of a volume of said second audio signal.

19. A method of controlling audio in a headset audio system comprising a headset to provide output audio to a user from at least a first and a second audio signal and a control unit, provided to allow user adjustment of one or more audio parameters;

said control unit comprising at least a first assignable audio control, and a second assignable audio control;

wherein

said assignable audio controls are switched between at least a first control mode and a second control mode;

wherein

in said first control mode, the first assignable audio control is configured for adjustment of a main volume of said output audio and the second assignable audio control is configured for adjustment of a mixing level between said at least first and second audio signals; and

wherein

in said second control mode, the first assignable audio control is configured for adjustment of a volume of said first audio signal, and the second assignable audio control is configured for adjustment of a volume of said second audio signal.