Cellular telephone, personal digital assistant with voice communication unit

• US 20010024507A1
• Filed: 05/31/2001
• Published: 09/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Martha Trout
• Original Assignee: Peter V Boesen
• Inventors: Boesen, Peter V.
• Granted Patent: US 6,879,698 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/315
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0256 wherein the modules are operable in the detached state, e.g. one module for the user interface and one module for the transceiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• 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: H04R 2460/13 Hearing devices using bone conduction transducers

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for hands free communication using a PDA. The method includes sensing a bone conduction signal from the bone conduction sensor disposed within an external auditory cannel of the user, transmitting the sensed bone conduction signal from a transmitter to a PDA, and processing the sensed bone conduction signal at the PDA to create a processed audio signal.

Claims

1. A method for hands free voice communications using a PDA comprising:

sensing a bone conduction signal from a bone conduction sensor disposed within an external auditory canal of a user;

transmitting the sensed bone conduction signal from a transmitter to a PDA; and

processing the sensed bone conduction signal at the PDA to create a processed audio signal.

2. The method of

claim 1

wherein the bone conductor sensor is fitted to the contours of a posterior superior wall of the external auditory canal.

3. The method of

claim 1

further comprising transmitting the processed audio signal from the PDA over a cellular transceiver.

4. The method of

claim 1

further comprising transmitting the processed audio signal from the PDA to a receiver disposed within an earpiece worn by the user;

and sending the processed audio signal from the receiver to a speaker disposed within the earpiece.

5. The method of

claim 1

further comprising performing a voice recognition function using the processed signal.

6. The method of

claim 1

further comprising performing a voice activation function using the processed signal.

7. A method for hands free voice communications using a PDA comprising:

sensing an air conduction signal from an air conduction sensor nonocclusively disposed within an external auditory canal of a user in a position proximate the posterior superior wall of the external auditory canal;

transmitting the sensed air conduction signal from a transmitter located in an earpiece to a PDA; and

processing the sensed air conduction signal at the PDA to create a processed audio signal.

8. The method of

claim 7

further comprising transmitting the processed audio signal from the PDA over a cellular transceiver.

9. The method of

claim 7

further comprising transmitting the processed audio signal from the PDA to a receiver disposed within an earpiece worn by the user;

and sending the processed audio signal from the receiver to a speaker disposed within the earpiece.

10. The method of

claim 7

further comprising performing a voice recognition function using the processed signal.

11. The method of

claim 7

further comprising performing a voice activation function using the processed signal.

12. A method for hands free voice communications using a PDA comprising:

sensing an air conduction signal from an air conduction sensor nonocclusively disposed within an external auditory canal of a user;

sensing a bone conduction signal from a bone conduction sensor disposed within the external auditory canal of a user;

transmitting the air conduction signal and the bone conduction signal from a transmitter to a PDA; and

processing the bone conduction signal and the air conduction signal at the PDA to create a processed audio signal.

13. The method of

claim 12

wherein the air conduction sensor is in a position proximate the posterior superior wall of the external auditory canal.

14. The method of

claim 12

wherein the bone conduction sensor is fitted to the contours of a posterior superior wall of the external auditory canal.

15. The method of

claim 12

further comprising transmitting the processed audio signal from the PDA over a cellular transceiver.

16. The method of

claim 12

further comprising transmitting the processed audio signal from the PDA to a receiver disposed within an earpiece worn by the user;

and sending the processed audio signal from the receiver to a speaker disposed within the earpiece.

17. The method of

claim 12

further comprising performing a voice recognition function using the processed signal.

18. The method of

claim 12

further comprising performing a voice activation function using the processed signal.

19. A system for hands free voice communication using the processing capabilities of a PDA comprising:

an earpiece housing;

an air conduction sensor adapted to be nonocclusively disposed within an external auditory canal of a user and operatively connected to the earpiece house and capable of transducing air conduction signals;

a bone conduction sensor adapted to be nonocclusively disposed within an external auditory canal of a user and operatively connected to the earpiece housing and capable of transducing bone conduction signals;

a transmitter operatively connected to the air conduction sensor and the bone conductor sensor and attached to the earpiece housing for transmitting the air conduction signals and the bone conduction signals;

a PDA having a processor adapted for processing audio signals; and

a receiver electrically connected to the PDA for receiving the air conduction signals and the bone conduction signals.

20. The system of

claim 19

further comprising a cellular transceiver electrically connected to the PDA for transmitting processed audio signals.

21. The system of

claim 19

further comprising a speaker attached to the earpiece housing;

a second receiver attached to the earpiece housing and the speaker; and

a second transmitter operatively connected to the PDA adapted to transmit the processed audio signals to the second receiver.