Wireless apparatus with multiple power and input sources

• US 20070054705A1
• Filed: 09/06/2005
• Published: 03/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd.
• Inventors: Lim, Bernard, Liow, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US11/221,326
• Publication Number:
  US 20070054705A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/572
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3866 carried on the head
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/05 specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection

Abstract

There is provided a wireless apparatus for providing sound signals directly to at least one ear of a user, including: at least one power source to power the apparatus; at least one earphone; at least one receiver coupled to the at least one earphone; and at least one antennae connected to the at least one receiver. Preferably, the at least one power source is selected from capacitors, batteries, solar powered cells, or power from an electronic device through a wired connection. The apparatus may have an optical cable connectable to the electronic device. A method for powering the wireless apparatus is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A wireless apparatus for providing sound signals to at least one ear of a user, including:

a first power source to power the apparatus, the first power source being selected from the group consisting of capacitors, batteries and solar powered cells;

at least one earphone;

at least one receiver coupled to the at least one earphone;

at least one antenna coupled to the at least one receiver; and

a wired connection for receiving power from an external device so as to enable continued use of the apparatus when the first power source is depleted.

2. The wireless apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection includes a USB connector or an earphone jack.

3. The wireless apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one receiver is able to receive signals selected from the group of transmission protocols consisting of:

Bluetooth, UWB, RF and IR.

4. The wireless apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the external device is selected from the group consisting of:

a digital media player, a high fidelity system and a gaming console.

5. The wireless apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further including an optical cable connectable to the external device.

6. A method for powering a wireless apparatus for providing sound signals directly to at least one ear of a user including:

using the apparatus until an incorporated power source is drained to a predetermined level; and

connecting the apparatus to an electronic device through a wired connection to continue operating the apparatus by drawing power from the electronic device.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the incorporated power source is selected from the group comprising:

at least one battery and at least one capacitor.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the electronic device is selected from the group comprising:

a digital media player, a high fidelity system and a gaming console.

9. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the predetermined level of power will be indicated by the ways selected from the group comprising:

the lighting up of an LED and the generation of an audible sound directly to the ear of the user.

10. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the wireless apparatus is able to receive signals selected from the group of transmission protocols comprising:

Bluetooth, UWB, RF and IR.

11. A method for powering a wireless apparatus for providing sound signals directly to at least one ear of a user including:

using the apparatus until an incorporated solar-celled power source is drained to a predetermined level;

continuing the use of the apparatus with a secondary incorporated power source until the incorporated power source is drained to a predetermined level; and

connecting the apparatus to an electronic device through a wired connection to continue operating the apparatus by drawing current from the electronic device.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the secondary incorporated power source is selected from the group comprising:

at least one battery and at least one capacitor.

13. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the electronic device is selected from the group comprising:

a digital media player, a high fidelity system, and a gaming console.

14. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the predetermined level of power will be indicated by the ways selected from the group comprising:

the lighting up of an LED and the generation of an audible sound directly to the ear of the user.

15. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the wireless apparatus is able to receive signals selected from the group of transmission protocols comprising:

Bluetooth, UWB, RF and IR.