Headset adapter and a headset system

• US 9,973,607 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2017
• Issued: 05/15/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gn Audio A/S (GN Store Nord A/S)
• Original Assignee: Gn Audio A/S (GN Store Nord A/S)
• Inventors: Skjoldborg, Erling
• Primary Examiner(s): Vuong, Quochien B
• Application Number:
  US15/496,733
• Publication Number:
  US 20170318142A1
• Time in Patent Office: 385 Days
• Field of Search: 4555561, 455557, 4555691, 4555751, 4555752
• 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 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724095 Worn on the wrist, hand or arm
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/08 home cordless telephone systems using the DECT standard
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/08 Mouthpieces; Microphones; Attachments therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1041 Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements switches in general H01H
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1091 Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/107 Monophonic and stereophonic headphones with microphone for two-way hands free communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 Direct-mode setup

Abstract

A headset adapter and a headset system for voice communication comprising a headset and a headset adapter as well as a method of enabling microphone transmission to a host device are provided. The headset comprises at least one earphone having a headset speaker, a headset microphone and a headset transceiver, the headset adapter being configured to interconnect the headset and a host device, the headset adapter comprising an adapter processor, a host interface, such as a host interface interconnecting the adapter processor and the host device, an adapter transceiver configured to establish a wireless communication link with the headset. The adapter furthermore comprises a controller configured to enable and disable the headset microphone. The adapter processor is configured to receive a request for headset microphone activation or microphone deactivation, for example from the host interface, and in response to receiving the request providing a control signal to the controller to enable or disable the headset microphone. The controller may thus activate the transceiver to configure the wireless communication link with the headset.

Claims

1. A headset system for voice communication comprising a headset and a headset adapter,

the headset to be worn by a user, comprising

at least one earphone having a headset speaker,

a headset microphone and

a headset transceiver,

the headset adapter being configured to interconnect the headset and a host device, the headset adapter including an audio class device and comprising

an adapter processor,

a host interface interconnecting the adapter processor and the host device

an adapter transceiver configured to establish a wireless communication link with the headset, the host interface responsive to a request signal from the processor and intended to authorize the interface to transmit and receive audio with the headset transceiver without user'"'"'s intervention;

a controller configured to automatically respond to said request signal enable and disable the headset microphone,

wherein the adapter processor is configured to receive a request for headset microphone activation or microphone deactivation from the host interface, and in response to receiving the request providing a control signal to the controller to enable or disable the headset microphone accordingly, and activating the transceiver to configure the wireless communication link with the headset.

2. A headset system according to claim 1, wherein the host interface is configured to receive and transmit audio data to and from the host device and wherein the host interface is configured to receiving and sending instructions related to audio, including opening and closing of audio, muting and increasing or decreasing audio volume.

3. A headset system according to claim 1, wherein the host interface is configured to receive the request from the host device, the request being triggered by an application executed on the host device.

4. A headset system according to claim 1, wherein the headset adapter is configured to use a predetermined protocol for establishing the wireless communication link with the headset.

5. A headset system according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined protocol is selected in dependence on the control signal received.

6. A headset system according to claim 1, wherein the headset adapter configures the wireless communication link to transmit audio from the headset microphone to the headset adapter.

7. A headset system according to claim 1, wherein the controller furthermore is configured to enable and disable the headset speaker.

8. A headset system according to claim 1, wherein the headset adapter additionally configures the wireless communication link to transmit audio obtained via the host interface to the headset speaker.

9. A headset system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication link is a link according to the DECT or Bluetooth standard.

10. A headset system according to claim 1, wherein the host interface is a Universal Serial Bus, USB, interface, a firewire interface, IEEE 1395 interface or a Lightning interface.

11. A headset system according to claim 1, wherein the headset adapter upon receipt of a request for deactivation of the headset microphone from the host interface, terminates the wireless communication link.

12. A headset adapter configured to interface a headset and a host device, the headset adapter being an audio class device and comprising

an adapter processor,

a host interface interconnecting the adapter processor and the host device,

a transceiver configured to establish a wireless communication link with the headset,

a controller configured to enable and disable a headset microphone,

wherein the adapter processor is configured to automatically receive a request signal from the processor, for headset microphone activation or microphone deactivation, and in response to receiving the request providing a control signal to the controller to enable or disable the headset microphone accordingly, and activating the transceiver to configure the wireless communication link with the headset without a headset user'"'"'s intervention but in response to the request signal.

13. A method of enabling or disabling microphone transmission to a host device using a headset adapter, the headset adapter being configured to interconnect a headset having a headset microphone and the host device, the headset adapter including an audio class device and comprising an adapter processor, a host interface interconnecting the adapter processor and the host device, a transceiver configured to establish a wireless communication link with the headset, a controller configured to enable and disable the headset microphone, the method comprising in the headset adapter:

receiving a request signal from the processor, for headset microphone activation or microphone deactivation via the host interface, providing a control signal to the controller to enable or disable the headset microphone, said control signal provided in response to the request signal, to the host device without user assistance and activating the transceiver to configure the wireless communication link with the headset.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the controller in response to receiving the control signal establishes communication with the wireless headset via a protocol corresponding to the received control signal.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the protocol is configured to enable or disable headset microphone communication.