Abstract: An earbud headset, a handset including the same, and methods of operating the headset and handset are provided. In one embodiment, an earbud headset includes a speaker portion that is retractable into and extendable from a base portion, thereby allowing for a thin profile form factor. Advantageously, the earbud headset allows for more convenient storage and/or integration with a handset such that a user may carry the handset and headset much like a single item.

Abstract: An earbud headset, a handset including the same, and methods of operating the headset and handset are provided. In one embodiment, an earbud headset includes a speaker portion that is retractable into and extendable from a base portion, thereby allowing for a thin profile form factor. Advantageously, the earbud headset allows for more convenient storage and/or integration with a handset such that a user may carry the handset and headset much like a single item.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and providing verbal feedback messages to wearers of man-machine interface (MMI)-enabled head-worn electronic devices. An exemplary head-worn electronic device includes an MMI and an acoustic signal generator configured to provide verbal acoustic messages to a wearer of the head-worn electronic device in response to the wearer's interaction with the MMI. The head-worn electronic device may be further configured to monitor device states and generate and provide verbal acoustic messages indicative of changes to the device states to the wearer. The verbal messages are digitally stored and accessed by a microprocessor configured to execute a verbal feedback generation program. Further, the verbal messages may be stored according to multiple different natural languages, thereby allowing a user to select a preferred natural language by which the verbal acoustic messages are fed back to the user.

Abstract: Cable winding devices and mechanisms for providing direct cable to electrical component connections without brush contacts are disclosed. Electronic controls may be provided directly on the cable winding device. The cable winding device generally includes two cable segments physically disconnected from each other, a spool configured for winding the cable segments thereon, and a circuit component such as a printed circuit board assembly that rotates with the spool. The circuit component may include electrical contacts to electronically connect corresponding pairs of wires of the cable segments and a user-adjustable or user-actuatable electronic control in communication with the electrical contacts. The circuit component may provide a pair of electrical contacts for each corresponding pair of wires in the cable segments and the electronic control is in communication with at least one pair of the electrical contacts.

Abstract: Mechanisms for providing electrical controls on a rotating assembly such as a cable winding device are disclosed. The cable winding device generally includes an electronic control actuator such as a keycap attached to a housing and providing an actuating pad actuatable via an opening provided in the housing, the housing containing a spool, a circuit component including an electronic control such as a switch actuatable via the actuating pad, and a rotational actuator interface such as a skid pad located over the electronic control to interface between the actuator pad and the electronic control at all rotational orientations of the switch relative to the actuating pad and/or even while the spool is rotating. The circuit component and the skid pad are configured to rotate with the spool relative to the housing. The switch is disposed off of an axis of rotation and may be, for example, an answer/end, on/off, mute, volume, play/stop, rewind/fast forward, and/or enter/accept control.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical cable system including a first electrical cable and a second electrical cable. The first electrical cable includes a strip shaped insulation material with one or more electrical conductors disposed within the strip shaped insulation material. The second electrical cable includes a groove shaped insulation material for receiving the strip shaped insulation material and one or more electrical conductors disposed within the groove shaped insulation material. The first electrical cable and second electrical cable may be releasably joined to form a co-joined cable by mating the strip shaped insulation material with the groove shaped insulation material.

Abstract: An improved boom adapted for use in or with a headset is disclosed. The boom generally comprises a voice tube having a first entry aperture, a light tube, and a noise reducer. The noise reducer is composed at least partially of a porous plastic material and partially or fully covers the voice tube, the noise canceling tube, and/or the light tube.