Abstract: Systems for a loss of power detection for headset amplifiers are disclosed. The system generally includes a headset and headset amplifier. The headset amplifier includes a switch for electrically connecting the headset and a telephone apparatus. The switch is closed when the headset amplifier is in a powered status and the switch is open when the headset amplifier is in a powerless status.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing mute status reminders are presented. The system and method includes monitoring a mute status duration upon activation of a mute status at a communication device, outputting a periodic mute reminder having an output period responsive to activation of the mute status, and adjusting the output period responsive to the mute status duration.

Abstract: A microphone boom cap includes a porous plastic portion adapted to cover a microphone boom first aperture. The microphone boom cap includes a non-porous plastic portion affixed to the porous plastic portion. The non-porous plastic portion is adapted to cover a microphone boom second aperture in a second use position, where the porous plastic portion covers the second aperture in a first use position.

Abstract: A headset includes a detector providing an output indicating a donned or doffed condition, a memory storing a fingerprint data of an authorized headset user, and a fingerprint scanner for generating a fingerprint scan upon detecting a donned condition. The headset includes a finger pad on an exterior of the headset on which a fingerprint of a headset wearer is placed during a validation process and a processor for processing the fingerprint scan to validate the identity of a headset user.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for delivering sound to ear canal are provided. The apparatus generally includes a compressible and resilient toroidal section having an inner side and an outer side. An aperture extends from the outer side to the inner side and the outer side has a well disposed within an inner side surface about the aperture. The apparatus further includes a compressible and resilient spout integrated with the toroidal section and extending away from the inner side. The spout includes a channel disposed within an inner spout surface and the channel is coupled to the well.

Abstract: Systems for an expander circuit are disclosed. An expander circuit comprising a transmit amplifier for amplifying electrical signals received from a microphone. A rectifier circuit is responsive to the electrical signals and generates a D.C. voltage. A dynamic resistor circuit is coupled to the transmit amplifier for regulating the gain of the transmit amplifier. The dynamic resistor circuit includes a bipolar junction transistor for receiving the D.C. voltage. The bipolar junction transistor is operated such that the collector current is zero and the bipolar junction transistor has a variable impedance seen by the transmit amplifier dependent upon the D.C. voltage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microphone apparatus. The microphone apparatus includes a housing with an outer surface and an interior chamber. A microphone element is disposed within the interior chamber. The outer surface includes a first substantially planar surface having at least one aperture leading to the interior chamber and a second substantially planar surface intersecting at an angle with the first planar surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive sidetone and adaptive voice activity detect (VAD) threshold for speech processing are disclosed. The VAD system generally includes an adaptive VAD threshold generator configured to generate a VAD threshold based on an increase in voice level resulting from sidetone attenuation and a comparator for comparing received signals to the adaptive VAD threshold to determine the existence of voice activity. The sidetone attenuation is based on an average ambient noise energy level determined from a noise energy amplitude during periods of no voice activity and a comparator for comparing received signals to the adaptive VAD threshold to determine existence of voice activity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a headset charging cradle are disclosed. The system generally includes a loop for receiving a headset earbud and a cradle charging interface disposed below the loop for coupling with a headset charging interface.

Abstract: A wireless local area network system and a headset for the system. The headset uses voice input information to set up parameters needed to connect the headset to the corresponding access point and then start the connection process. When the connection fails or succeeds an appropriate voice prompt or visible signal tells the user the headset's connection status.

Abstract: An accessory interface bus for a telecommunications headset adapter or base unit, which controls and monitors the operations of various headset accessories coupled to the interface bus, is disclosed. The accessory interface bus allows the telecommunications headset adapter to detect when a new accessory is coupled to the bus. The interface bus may be implemented within a headset adapter base in a telecommunications system that includes the headset adapter base, a telecommunications headset coupled to the adapter base, and various headset accessories coupled to the adapter base. The interface bus transmits control and status signals between the headset adapter base and the various headset accessories to directly control and monitor operations for each headset accessory coupled to the interface bus. The control and monitoring of a given headset accessory may include activating or deactivating, resetting, and/or simulating a button press of a button located on the accessory.

Abstract: A headset includes a finger pad on an exterior of the headset on which a finger of a headset wearer is placed. The headset includes an optical line scanner which scans the finger pad and outputs a series of successive images of the finger placed on the finger pad. A headset processor processes the output of the optical line scanner to detect relative motion of the finger on the finger pad or detect tapping of the finger on the finger pad.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a wireless stereo headset are disclosed. The system generally includes a first headset component and a second headset component. Both the first headset component and the second headset component may be wireless devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for variably and/or shiftably limiting signal output are disclosed. The system may include an attenuation circuit having an attenuation network activated by a source signal crossing a threshold to attenuate the source signal and a resistive element such as resistors bridging between the attenuation circuit input and output for variably attenuating the source signal. The attenuation circuit may be activated by a switch such as transistors. To shift the limiting threshold, the system may include a circuit to shift the activating threshold, the circuit having a control voltage source such as DC voltage source coupled to the attenuation network. The threshold shifting circuit may be configured to selectively increase the threshold during music listening and to be inactive during voice applications. The system may be incorporated in a headset adapter or a headset receiver.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a telescopic boom with conductive spring connectors are disclosed. The system generally includes conductive spring connectors which extend and retract as the telescopic boom extends and retracts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solution to the needs described above through an inventive charger contact. The conductive contact includes a housing with an outer cylindrical surface and a hollow inner cylindrical core with a longitudinal axis. An actuator is disposed within the hollow inner cylindrical core capable of movement within the cylindrical core along the axis. A spring contact with conductive contacts is disposed in part within the hollow inner cylindrical core and coupled to the actuator. The spring contact is capable of compression and decompression along the longitudinal axis based on movement of the actuator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solution to the needs described above through a method and apparatus for reducing echo and noise. The apparatus includes a microphone array for receiving and audio signal, the audio signal including a voice signal component and a noise signal component. The apparatus further includes a voice processing path having an input coupled to the microphone array and a noise processing path having an input coupled to the microphone array. The voice processing path is adapted to detect voice signals and the noise processing path is adapted to detect noise signals. A first echo controller is coupled to the voice processing path and a second echo controller is coupled to the noise processing path. A noise reducer is coupled to the output of the first echo controller and second echo controller.

Abstract: A headset microphone boom that includes a hollow tubular member with a reflective interior surface. A light disperser is coupled to the hollow tubular member at one end and a light emitting device is coupled to the hollow tubular member at the other end. Light is transmitted from the light emitting device through the hollow tubular member to the light disperser. Sound waves are simultaneously transmitted from an acoustic port through the hollow tubular member to a microphone.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a microphone. The microphone includes a housing, a port disposed in the housing leading to an interior chamber, and a diaphragm with a first side and a second side. The first side of the diaphragm faces the port. The microphone includes a shunt channel from the port to the second side of the diaphragm. The shunt channel receives a wind noise signal to reduce the effects of the wind noise signal on the diaphragm.