Abstract: A cushion for a headset earphone comprises a resilient ring having opposite input and output faces, and a through-opening defining an interior surface between the two faces. The input face has structure for acoustically coupling the opening to an output face of an audio speaker, and the output face is resiliently conformable to a lateral face of an external ear of a listener, thereby acoustically coupling the opening, and hence, the speaker, to the listener's ear. The interior surface of the cushion can be configured to effectively match the acoustical impedance at the output face of the speaker to the acoustical impedance at the entrance of the listener's ear. In one possible embodiment, the ring is formed of an elastomer filled with microcapsules containing a material capable of an endothermic phase changes at a constant temperature, such that the cushion more effectively conducts heat away from the ear, thereby providing long term listening comfort.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling exposure to noise related to a headset are described. The method includes sampling an input sound signal to produce samples of the input sound signal, calculating from these samples a headset sound level corresponding to the input sound signal, calculating cumulative exposure of a headset user to the headset sound level at a specific point in time, and calculating a gain adjustment for the input sound signal to ensure that the total sound to which the headset user will be exposed during a selected time period is within the regulatory maximum level. Advantageously, the method and apparatus of the present invention allow accurate real-time monitoring of cumulative exposure to headset noise and real-time adjustment of headset gain to ensure compliance with regulatory maximum sound exposure levels.

Abstract: An earbud headset is provided that includes a speaker housing which advantageously allows for improved comfort, sound quality, and stability in the ear. The speaker housing includes a head portion and a thin edge portion that extends from the head portion to interface with a faceplate. The thin edge portion allows for acoustic coupling to deeper areas of the user's ear to provide better sound quality. A bias member is operably coupled to the speaker housing to contact an upper concha of the user's ear to provide bias forces for improved stability, sound quality, and universal fit.

Abstract: A sound sensing apparatus such as a communication headset uses a microphone and an acoustic valve controlled by a movable boom to operate in at least a compact and an extended-boom mode, with the valve variously coupling the microphone to different openings on the boom or the main body functioning as the acoustic sensing point.

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.

Abstract: A telephone handset that can be remotely activated. The audio data can be operating instructions of the handset and/or telephone numbers stored in the phone. The handset contains a line interface circuit that can detect a plurality of ring signals on a telephone line. The phone line is also coupled to a secondary phone device that has a line voltage detection circuit which detects a voltage drop within a predetermined time interval. The handset further contains a controller that can generate a tone signal to be transmitted onto the telephone line. The caller can then provide a responsive activation signal to activate the handset. The handset connects onto the telephone line for a time interval to detect the activation signal. The line connect time interval is less than the predetermined time interval of the line voltage detection circuit of the secondary phone device so that the line connect does not cause the secondary phone device to hang up the call.

Abstract: A headset storage device includes a headset cradle, a switch and a manual override device. The headset cradle has two positions: a first position when the headset cradle is supporting a headset and a second position when the headset cradle is not supporting a headset. The switch couples the audio signal to the alternate audio system when the headset cradle is in the first position and to the headset when the headset cradle is in the second position. The manual override device forces the headset cradle into one of the two positions regardless of whether the headset cradle is supporting a headset.

Abstract: A headset includes: a body; an upper wing extended from the body; a lower wing extended from the body; a speaker capsule coupled to the upper wing so that the speaker capsule can be positioned near an ear; and an ear bud coupled to the upper wing so as to be positioned on an opening of the concha of the ear. The lower wing is movable up and down pivotally on an interface between the body and the lower wing and the lower wing is rotatable about a longitudinal axis running from a first end to a second end of the lower wing. The rotation allows a first surface of the lower wing to accommodate one type of ear, and a second surface of the lower wing to accommodate another type of ear. The upper wing is further extendable from the body so as to position the ear bud on the opening of the concha of the user's ear. The headset further includes a microphone embedded in the upper wing, a voice tube extended from the upper wing, and an on-line indicator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for remotely diagnosing, trouble shooting, and/or programming an end user telephone by a customer service representative using a modem in communication with the user's telephone during a live telephone call between the customer service representative and the user are disclosed. The user telephone and modem system generally comprises a telephone having a remotely controllable feature and a user modem that alternates between voice and data signal transmissions and communicates with a remote customer service modem. The user modem receives control signals from the remote customer service modem for controlling the controllable feature of the user telephone. The user telephone may be a DSP-enabled telephone with the user modem being embodied in the DSP. Examples of remotely controllable features include volume, frequency response, compression ratio, knee point, programmable memory, an LED light, self-diagnostic test, and/or user hearing test administration.

Abstract: An auditory user interface provides auditory feedback concerning variable parameters of a device. Auditory user interface elements indicate modes corresponding to control functions and variable parameters. Additional auditory user interface elements indicate particular values for the parameters. Each control function is distinguished by particular auditory characteristics, such as distinct musical scales, so that the user can easily recognize which mode is active and discern the current value for the parameter corresponding to the mode. Center values and limit values are denoted by distinctive auditory elements.