Abstract: An eartip that includes at least one acoustic material filled port is provided. The port and the acoustic material contained therein provide the eartip with a controlled acoustic leakage path, thus allowing the user to tailor the performance of the earphones to which the eartips of the invention are attached. The provided eartip is attachable to a standard, generic earpiece, for example through the use of interlocking members (e.g., channel/lip arrangement). At least one port, in addition to the central opening by which the eartip is attached to the earphone, extends through the eartip. The port can have a circular cross-section, arcuate cross-section, or other shape. If desired, for example to increase the port area, the eartip can be designed with multiple ports surrounding the central opening. Within the port is an acoustic material with the desired acoustic impedance. The eartip can be coded to allow identification of the acoustic qualities of a particular eartip.

Abstract: An earpiece is provided that includes an earpiece enclosure, a sound delivery member that contains a sound delivery tube, and one or more drivers. The earpiece enclosure includes one or more enclosure ports that couple the internal enclosure volume to the volume outside of the earpiece. Corresponding to each enclosure port is a port cover that has at least a fully open port position and a fully closed port position. Preferably the port covering means is capable of multiple positions between the fully open port position and the fully closed port position. The port cover can be a plug, a rotating earpiece collar, a sliding cover, or other means. In at least one embodiment, separate drivers and/or separate volumes within the earpiece enclosure are coupled to separate enclosure ports.

Abstract: A visual feedback system that activates a visual display when the sound pressure level from a headset attached to the system exceeds a preset level is provided, along with a method of using the same. The visual feedback system is interposed between the audio source and the headset and is either integral to a specific headset or coupleable to any of a variety of headsets. If a non-integral headset is used with the visual feedback system, the system is matched to the characteristics of the selected headset, for example using a selector switch or via a calibration process. During operation, the visual feedback system illuminates a display (e.g., an LED) whenever the sound pressure level from the attached headset exceeds the preset level. The visual feedback system can be implemented using analog or digital circuitry.

Abstract: A headset with an active crossover network is provided. The headset is coupled to an audio source using either a wired connection or a wireless connection. The active crossover network, utilizing either analog or digital filtering, divides each channel of the incoming audio signal from the audio source into multiple frequency regions sufficient for the number of drivers contained within each headphone of the headset. The output from the network's filters is amplified using either single channel or multi-channel amplifies. Preferably, gain control circuitry is used to control the gain of the amplifier(s) and thus the volume produced by the drivers. More preferably, the gain of the gain control circuitry is adjustable. The headset includes a power source that is coupled to the amplifier(s) and, if necessary, the network's filters. The power source can be included within some portion of the headset or included within a wireless interface.

Abstract: A headset with an active crossover network is provided. The headset is coupleable to a first audio source using a wired connection and to a second audio source using a wireless connection. A controller is used to determine whether the first, or second, audio source is coupled to the active crossover network which, utilizing either analog or digital filtering, divides each channel of the incoming audio signal into multiple frequency regions sufficient for the number of drivers contained within the in-ear monitors of the headset. The output from the network's filters is amplified using either single channel or multi-channel amplifies. Preferably, gain control circuitry is used to control the gain of the amplifier(s) and thus the volume produced by the drivers. More preferably, the gain of the gain control circuitry is adjustable. The headset includes a power source that is coupled to the amplifier(s) and, if necessary, the network's filters.

Abstract: A headset with an active crossover network is provided. The headset is coupled to an audio source using either a wired connection or a wireless connection. The active crossover network, utilizing either analog or digital filtering, divides each channel of the incoming audio signal from the audio source into multiple frequency regions sufficient for the number of drivers contained within each in-ear monitor of the headset. The output from the network's filters is amplified using either single channel or multi-channel amplifies. Preferably, gain control circuitry is used to control the gain of the amplifier(s) and thus the volume produced by the drivers. More preferably, the gain of the gain control circuitry is adjustable. The headset includes a power source that is coupled to the amplifier(s) and, if necessary, the network's filters. The power source can be included within some portion of the headset or included within the wireless interface.

Abstract: A headset with an active crossover network is provided. The headset is coupleable to a first audio source using a wired connection and to a second audio source using a wireless connection. A controller is used to determine whether the first, or second, audio source is coupled to the active crossover network which, utilizing either analog or digital filtering, divides each channel of the incoming audio signal into multiple frequency regions sufficient for the number of drivers contained within the headphones of the headset. The output from the network's filters is amplified using either single channel or multi-channel amplifies. Preferably, gain control circuitry is used to control the gain of the amplifier(s) and thus the volume produced by the drivers. More preferably, the gain of the gain control circuitry is adjustable. The headset includes a power source that is coupled to the amplifier(s) and, if necessary, the network's filters.

Abstract: An audio monitor system that includes a pair of in-ear monitors, each of which includes a connector and a corresponding detachable cable, is provided. Each connector may include a two pin jack assembly and each detachable cable may include a corresponding two pin plug assembly. Preferably, each plug assembly of each detachable cable includes a hooded member. More preferably, a portion of the hooded member covers a portion of the corresponding connector, thus effectively sealing the plug/connector assembly from contamination. Even more preferably, interlocking members are included on each hooded member and each corresponding connector, the interlocking members preventing accidental decoupling of the cable from the connector. The plug and connector assemblies may include means for insuring that a desired pin polarity is maintained during cable coupling.

Abstract: A multi-driver in-ear monitor for use with either a recorded or a live audio source is provided. If a pair of drivers is used, each driver has an individual sound delivery tube. If three drivers are used, the outputs from two of the drivers are merged into a single sound delivery tube while the output from the third driver is maintained in a separate, discrete sound tube. The sound delivery tubes remain separate throughout the end portion of the earpiece. The earpiece tip is configured to be fitted with any of a variety of sleeves (e.g., foam sleeves, flanged sleeves, etc.), thus allowing the in-ear monitor to be easily tailored to comfortably fit within any of a variety of ear canals. Due to the size constraints of such an earpiece, the sound delivery tubes include a transition region. Acoustic filters (i.e., dampers) can be interposed between one or both driver outputs and the earpiece output.

Abstract: A method of optimizing the audio performance of an earpiece and the resultant device are provided. The disclosed earpiece combines at least two drivers within a single earpiece. If a pair of drivers is used, each driver has a discrete sound delivery tube. If more than two drivers are used, preferably the outputs from the two lower frequency drivers are merged into a single sound delivery tube while the output from the third driver is maintained in a separate, discrete sound tube. To compensate for the inherent phase shift of the earpiece the lengths of the sound delivery tubes, and thus driver offset, are regulated. Further audio performance optimization can be achieved through an iterative process of measuring the performance of the earpiece and making further, minor adjustments to the sound delivery tube lengths. The sound delivery tubes can include transition regions. The earpiece is configured to use removable/replaceable eartips.

Abstract: A method and system for remotely calibrating a headset telephone with a reliable, accurate and easy to use user interface is provided. This method makes use of the remote programmability of advanced telephone headsets and DTMF signal encoding and permits the customer-user to instigate the calibration procedure with an ordinary telephone call. The invention provides a way for the optimum settings to be transmitted, loaded and stored to the headset, thereby improving the audio quality of telephone headsets by providing adjustment steps for such audio qualities as microphone gain, speaker gain, background noise and echo cancellation, filter functions and diagnostics.

Abstract: A controller for use with a cell phone and an audio source such as a CD player, tape player, radio or MP3 player is provided. In use the controller is coupled to the cell phone, audio source and at least one earphone. The controller includes a switch, the switch simultaneously affecting the cell phone and the audio source. More specifically, when the switch is in a first position, the cell phone is connected and the audio source is disabled, either by decoupling the audio source from the earphones or muting the audio signal emitted by the audio source. When the switch is in a second position, the cell phone is disconnected and the audio source is enabled. Accordingly during use the user may simultaneously answer his or her cell phone and mute (or disconnect) the audio source. The controller may also include a microphone for use with the cell phone and a volume control, the volume control preferably being interposed between the audio source and the earphones.

Abstract: A wireless speakerphone with a pivoting microphone boom is provided. The speakerphone communicates via a wireless network to a cellular telephone, cellular telephone adaptor, land-line telephone, land-line telephone adaptor, computer, personal digital assistant, or other device capable of communicating via the wireless network. The microphone contained in the pivoting boom is a directional microphone, the design of the boom being such that the location of minimal microphone sensitivity is always directed towards the speakerphone's speaker. The wireless speakerphone may also include an integral display, thereby allowing various types of system information to be displayed, aid speakerphone/system configuration and provide expanded speakerphone functionality.

Abstract: A communication device and overmold adapted to minimize the feedback, acoustic coupling, and seismic vibration between a speaker and microphone in close proximity, as is typically found in hands-free headsets, is provided. This invention, through the use of specific structures absorbs unwanted noise and sound waves thereby improving the performance of the communication system as a whole. The complete system of this invention is provided in several embodiments, including an embodiment where the microphone is inserted within the overmold structure, an embodiment where the microphone is a boom microphone and an embodiment where the microphone is somewhat remote (a few inches) down from a miniaturized overmold and is provided with an ON/OFF switch.

Abstract: A method and system for remotely calibrating a headset telephone with a reliable, accurate and easy to use user interface is provided. This method makes use of the remote programmability of advanced telephone headsets and DTMF signal encoding and permits the customer-user to instigate the calibration procedure with an ordinary telephone call. The invention provides a way for the optimum settings to be transmitted, loaded and stored to the headset, thereby improving the audio quality of telephone headsets by providing adjustment steps for such audio qualities as microphone gain, speaker gain, background noise and echo cancellation, filter functions and diagnostics.

Abstract: A method and system for remotely calibrating a headset telephone with a reliable, accurate and easy to use user interface is provided. This method makes use of the remote programmability of advanced telephone headsets and DTMF signal encoding and permits the customer-user to instigate the calibration procedure with an ordinary telephone call. The invention provides the means by which the optimum settings can be transmitted to the headset, loaded and stored in the headset, thereby improving the audio quality of telephone headsets by providing adjustment steps for such audio qualities as microphone gain (transmit level), speaker gain, background noise and echo cancellation, filter functions and diagnostics. This method also provides audio feedback to a customer service representative performing the calibration to insure that the commands and adjustments were properly received.