Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a speakerphone configuration for audio and/or video conferencing that includes a cavity underneath the speakerphone where cable ports are arranged. The arrangement of the cable ports are such that when a power plug is installed in the speakerphone, a telecommunication port is blocked, and vice versa. In addition, the port arrangement allows cables to attach to opposite walls in the cavity such that cables run parallel to each other within the cavity. The disclosed speakerphone may be daisy-chained together and function as a single unit. Therefore a speakerphone according to the disclosure may function as either a master unit, a mid unit, or an end unit in a string of speakerphones depending on how the speakerphone is wired. The port arrangement in the cavity increases ease for setup and daisy-chaining of multiple speakerphone units.

Abstract: An active road noise control method in an active road noise controller disposed in a vehicle may include diagnosing whether a plurality of microphones connected in a daisy chain has failed, receiving a data frame from the plurality of microphones, identifying normal information related to information included in the data frame based on a result of diagnosis, generating a digital noise control signal using the identified normal information, and transmitting the generated digital noise control signal to an external amplifier.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention can include a teleconferencing system having a system housing, a speaker enclosure configured within the system housing, a speaker mounted to the speaker enclosure, and one or more damping cushions coupling the speaker enclosure to the system housing. The one or more damping cushions can suspend the speaker enclosure within the system housing such that the speaker enclosure is separated and mechanically isolated from the system housing by at least a minimum distance (e.g., 2 mm). In some cases, the one or more damping cushions provide the only structural coupling between the speaker enclosure and the system housing. The one or more damping cushions can be configured to dampen mechanical energy generated by the speaker thereby preventing at least a portion of the mechanical energy form coupling to the system housing via the one or more damping cushions.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a speakerphone configuration for audio and/or video conferencing that includes a cavity underneath the speakerphone where cable ports are arranged. The arrangement of the cable ports are such that when a power plug is installed in the speakerphone, a telecommunication port is blocked, and vice versa. In addition, the port arrangement allows cables to attach to opposite walls in the cavity such that cables run parallel to each other within the cavity. The disclosed speakerphone may be daisy-chained together and function as a single unit. Therefore a speakerphone according to the disclosure may function as either a master unit, a mid unit, or an end unit in a string of speakerphones depending on how the speakerphone is wired. The port arrangement in the cavity increases ease for setup and daisy-chaining of multiple speakerphone units.

Abstract: Secure electronic communication devices can, for example, include a baseplate, a base coupled to the baseplate, a housing disposed at least partially within a volume defined by the base, where the housing includes at least a portion of a cavity to house an electronic communication device, and a housing coupling member that rotatably couples the housing to the base.

Abstract: A portable electronic device may have acoustic ports such as microphone and speaker ports. Acoustic devices such as microphones and speakers may be associated with the acoustic ports. An acoustic port may have an opening between an interior and exterior of the portable electronic device. The opening may be covered by a metal mesh. An acoustic fabric may be interposed between the metal mesh and the opening. The opening may be formed from a hole in a glass member having outer and inner chamfers. A microphone boot may be provided that forms front and rear radial seals with a housing of the device and a microphone unit respectively. The microphone boot may also form multiple face seals with the microphone unit. A speaker for the speaker port may be enclosed in a sealed speaker enclosure. The speaker enclosure may have a pressure-equalizing vent slit covered with an acoustic mesh.

Abstract: A sound sensing device may include a housing having a dome-shaped shell and a baseplate. The housing may have a symmetrically shaped perimeter. The dome-shaped shell may have an arcuate cross section characterized by tangent lines that monotonically increase in slope from a top of the dome-shaped shell toward a bottom of the dome-shaped shell. At least three sound ports may be provided between an interior volume of the housing and an exterior surrounding of the housing, and disposed symmetrically and peripherally about the perimeter of the housing. The sound ports may be located at most 1 cm above the support surface.

Abstract: Secure electronic communication devices can, for example, include a baseplate, a base coupled to the baseplate, a housing disposed at least partially within a volume defined by the base, where the housing includes at least a portion of a cavity to house an electronic communication device, and a housing coupling member that rotatably couples the housing to the base.

Abstract: A mobile communications device contains at least two microphones. One microphone is designated by a selector to provide a voice dominant signal and another microphone is designated to provide a noise or echo dominant signal, for a call or a recording. The selector communicates the designations to a switch that routes the selected microphone signals to the inputs of a processor for voice signal enhancement. The selected voice dominant signal is then enhanced by suppressing ambient noise or canceling echo therein, based on the selected noise or echo dominant signal. The designation of microphones may change at any instant during the call or recording depending on various factors, e.g. based on the quality of the microphone signals. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A mobile terminal and controlling method may be provided. The mobile terminal may include a microphone, a necklace strap, a pendant part sliding to move along the necklace strap by being coupled with the necklace strap, a sensing unit detecting a location of the pendant part in accordance with a slide movement of the pendant part, and a controller to recognize a voice command received through the microphone. The controller may perform a first function in response to a first voice command recognized through the microphone if the detected location of the pendant part belongs to a first range. The controller may perform a second function in response to the first voice command recognized through the microphone if the detected location of the pendant part belongs to a second range.

Abstract: Computing devices and microphone assemblies including acoustic waveguides are described. According to some examples, a computing device may include an enclosure, a microphone which may be spaced apart and angled relative to the interior surface of the enclosure to which the microphone may be coupled. The computing device may further include an acoustic waveguide disposed between the microphone and the interior surface of the enclosure, the acoustic waveguide having a passage for allowing acoustic energy to be transmitted from a microphone opening in the enclosure to the receiving element of the microphone (also referred to as sensing element, or microphone sensor).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for acoustic feedback attenuation at a telecommunications terminal. A speakerphone equipped with a loudspeaker and two microphones is featured. Signals from the two microphones are subjected to a calibration stage and then to a runtime stage. The purpose of the calibration stage is to match the microphones to each other by advantageously using both magnitude and phase equalization across the frequency spectrum of the microphones. During the runtime stage, the microphones monitor the ambient sounds received from sound sources, such as the speakerphone's users and the loudspeaker itself, during a conference call. The speakerphone applies the generated set of filter coefficients to the optimized microphone's signals. By combining the signal from the reference microphone with the filtered signal from the optimized microphone, the speakerphone is able to attenuate the sounds from the loudspeaker that would otherwise be transmitted back to other conference call participants.

Abstract: Method, user terminal and computer program product for controlling audio signals at the user device during a communication session between the user device and a remote node, in which a primary audio signal is received at audio input means of the user device for transmission to the remote node in the communication session. It is determined whether the user device is operating in (i) a first mode in which secondary audio signals output from the user device are likely to disturb the primary audio signal received at the audio input means, or (ii) a second mode in which secondary audio signals output from the user device are not likely to disturb the primary audio signal received at the audio input means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a signal processing system, comprising a number of microphones and loudspeakers, a hands-free set configured to receive a telephone signal from a remote party and to transmit a microphone signal supplied by at least one of the microphones to the remote party; an in-vehicle communication system configured to receive a microphone signal supplied by at least one of the microphones; receive the telephone signal; amplify the microphone signal to obtain at least one first output signal; output the at least one first output signal and/or a second output signal corresponding to the telephone signal to at least one of the loudspeakers; and wherein the signal processing systems is configured to detect speech activity in the telephone signal and to control the in-vehicle communication system to reduce amplification of the microphone signal by a damping factor, if it is detected that speech activity is present in the telephone signal.

Abstract: In the invention a speaker apparatus acoustically combines the earpiece and hands free functions. Thus a speaker has acoustically separated functions for acting as the earpiece and as the hands free. The speaker apparatus has a back cavity having an outlet so that the damped sound of the outlet operates as the earpiece. The front of the speaker apparatus operates as the louder hands free.

Abstract: Disclosed is a charging cradle for a headset device, which includes a housing with a surface providing a mounting depression, and a cover with a transparent surface pivotably connected to the housing so as to open and close the mounting depression. The headset device is mounted in the mounting depression so as to charge an internal battery pack provided in the headset device. The cradle protects the headset device under charging, enabling the user to observe the charging state without opening it. An earphone cover for a headset device includes a projected semi-circular fixing ring for preventing the earphone from being removed from the ear. The earphone cover is provided in various sizes to fit a user's ear size, and may be rotated to change the rotational position of the fixing ring so as to enable the user to put the headset device selectively on the right or left ear.

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: Method, user terminal and computer program product for controlling audio signals at the user device during a communication session between the user device and a remote node, in which a primary audio signal is received at audio input means of the user device for transmission to the remote node in the communication session. It is determined whether the user device is operating in (i) a first mode in which secondary audio signals output from the user device are likely to disturb the primary audio signal received at the audio input means, or (ii) a second mode in which secondary audio signals output from the user device are not likely to disturb the primary audio signal received at the audio input means.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of using a speaker phone mode of a portable voice communications device having a built-in camera are described herein. In one embodiment, the speaker phone mode is activated if it is determined that an image captured by the device is black or nearly black, which indicates that the device is placed flat or nearly flat against surface. In one embodiment, the speaker phone mode is activated based on the results of comparing the captured image to a plurality of previously stored captured images wherein the previously stored captured images include images captured by the device in situations where it would be desirable for the speaker phone mode to be activated. In one embodiment, the speaker phone mode is activated based on a comparison of a captured image and previously stored captured images and their respective speaker phone mode statuses. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a signal processing system, comprising a number of microphones and loudspeakers, a hands-free set configured to receive a telephone signal from a remote party and to transmit a microphone signal supplied by at least one of the microphones to the remote party; an in-vehicle communication system configured to receive a microphone signal supplied by at least one of the microphones; receive the telephone signal; amplify the microphone signal to obtain at least one first output signal; output the at least one first output signal and/or a second output signal corresponding to the telephone signal to at least one of the loudspeakers; and wherein the signal processing systems is configured to detect speech activity in the telephone signal and to control the in-vehicle communication system to reduce amplification of the microphone signal by a damping factor, if it is detected that speech activity is present in the telephone signal.

Abstract: A wireless conference call telephone system uses body-worn wired or wireless audio endpoints comprising microphone arrays and, optionally, speakers. These audio-endpoints, which include headsets, pendants, and clip-on microphones to name a few, are used to capture the user's voice and the resulting data may be used to remove echo and environmental acoustic noise. Each audio-endpoint transmits its audio to the telephony gateway, where noise and echo suppression can take place if not already performed on the audio-endpoint, and where each audio-endpoint's output can be labeled, integrated with the output of other audio-endpoints, and transmitted over one or more telephony channels of a telephone network. The noise and echo suppression can also be done on the audio-endpoint. The labeling of each user's output can be used by the outside caller's phone to spatially locate each user in space, increasing intelligibility.

Abstract: An electronic device may include a printed circuit board and a speaker box defining an acoustic volume between spaced apart first and second speaker box walls with the first speaker box wall being between the second speaker box wall and the printed circuit board. A loudspeaker may be coupled to the first speaker box wall, and the loudspeaker may include an acoustic actuator that is configured to generate displacements in response to an electrical signal applied thereto. The loudspeaker may further include a speaker membrane that is mechanically coupled to the acoustic actuator and that is configured to deflect in directions toward and away from the second speaker box wall responsive to displacements of the acoustic actuator. Related assemblies and methods are also discussed.

Abstract: A vehicle hands-free communication apparatus includes an identifier receiver, a storage, a compatibility information receiver, a renewing device, a determination device, a connecting device, and an informing device. The identifier receiver receives a phone identifier from a mobile phone. The storage stores compatibility information. The compatibility information receiver receives renewed compatibility information. The renewing device replaces the compatibility information stored in the storage with the renewed compatibility information. The determination device determines whether the mobile phone is compatible with the hands-free communication apparatus by comparing the phone identifier and the stored compatibility information. The connecting device establishes a communication between the apparatus and the mobile phone when the determination device determines that the mobile phone is compatible with the apparatus.

Abstract: A method (200) and device (100) for answering an incoming call to an electronic communication device enables the device to answer the incoming call using one of a plurality of answer modes, in response to when an answer call signal is input from a user of the device. The method (200) comprises allowing the device (100) to answer the incoming call, using a first answer mode, in response to an answer call signal input from a user at a user interface of the device before expiration of a first predetermined time period (step 205). The device is then allowed to answer the incoming call, using a second answer mode, in response to an answer call signal input from the user at the user interface of the device after expiration of the first predetermined time period (step 210).

Abstract: A mobile communication terminal and a voice input/output method for inputting/outputting voice during playback of music data by using a Bluetooth communication scheme are disclosed. The method includes connecting to a headset via a simplex channel according to the Bluetooth communication scheme when music data is played; determining if a call has been connected; terminating current connection to the headset via the simplex channel and connecting to the headset via a duplex channel according to the Bluetooth communication scheme while maintaining the playback of music data when the call has been connected; mixing decoded music data with data obtained by decoding incoming voice data received from the communication partner as a result of a call connection; and outputting the mixed data to the headset via a transmission channel of the duplex channel and receiving originating voice data of the user from the headset via a reception channel of the duplex channel.

Abstract: A degree of seal of an ear about a speaker port may be estimated by detecting touch contact between the ear and at least one touch sensor in fixed relation to the speaker port. The degree of seal is estimated based on the detected touch contact. Based upon the estimated degree of seal, the acoustic output of the speaker may be adjusted. The adjustment may compensate for perceived changes to the quality of the acoustic output resulting from the degree of seal. The at least one touch sensor may be a plurality of touch sensors spaced around the speaker port. Each sensor may have a truncated wedge shape, with a narrow end closest to the speaker port. Upon receipt of user input indicative of a high degree of ear seal, a sample of the sensor(s) may be taken and stored for using during future estimation of the degree of seal.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of using a speaker phone mode of a portable voice communications device having a built-in camera are described herein. In one embodiment, the speaker phone mode is activated if it is determined that an image captured by the device is black or nearly black, which indicates that the device is placed flat or nearly flat against surface. In one embodiment, the speaker phone mode is activated based on the results of comparing the captured image to a plurality of previously stored captured images wherein the previously stored captured images include images captured by the device in situations where it would be desirable for the speaker phone mode to be activated. In one embodiment, the speaker phone mode is activated based on a comparison of a captured image and previously stored captured images and their respective speaker phone mode statuses. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A mobile device, particularly a wireless headset, includes a cord to which an earpiece is fixed and a module having a spring-actuated retractor reel into which the cord is retracted for storage. A fastener on the module makes the device wearable. A rotary encoder generates a position data output according to the rotational position of the reel, and a controller receives the position data output from the sensor, and, in response, controls a function such as placing the device in an on-hook or off-hook state.

Abstract: An improved voice transmitter-receiver, a plug of which has a clamping portion at a front end thereof, and a connecting socket is located on an electronic device. A mounting hole is located at an outer side of the connecting socket, thereby enabling the voice transmitter-receiver to use the plug to plug into the connecting socket of the electronic device and clamp into the mounting hole of the connecting socket by means of the clamping portion on the plug, thus connecting and fixedly locking the voice transmitter-receiver to the electronic device to prevent the plug of the voice transmitter-receiver from being inadvertently pulled out or coming away from the connecting socket of the electronic device.

Abstract: A wireless headphone assembly has left and right speakers attached to ends of a headphone body, and at least two antennas, e.g., one located at each speaker. Reception can be improved by selecting a “best” one of the antennas based on a quality metric.

Abstract: A hands-free teleconferencing apparatus for use with a wireless telephone for enabling multiple users to participate in a telephone call in a hands-free environment. An adapter of the apparatus configured to connect to a wireless telephone includes circuitry for communicating with at least two external speakers and at least one external microphone. The communications between the adapter and the external speakers and microphone may be wired or wireless. If wired, the external speakers and microphone may be part of respective earbud devices or headsets that connect to the adapter. Each earbud device includes an acoustic transducer that functions as an audio speaker and may include a microphone that converts the users' voices into electric audio signals. If wireless, the external speakers and microphone may be in respective headsets that have respective wireless transducers for communicating wirelessly with respective wireless transducers in the adapter.

Abstract: In a system in which a first computer transmits data to a second computer, the first computer transmits data conveying time information to the second computer, with the information expressing a first time point that occurs prior to commencement of the transmission and, following reception of the time information, the second computer compares the first time point information with a current time point, to thereby obtain a communication delay amount that includes a delay in transmitting data from the first to the second computer.

Abstract: A new speakerphone wherein a loudspeaker is oriented to face the listeners of an audio conference is disclosed. New speakerphones which have a bass loudspeaker and at least one tweeter loudspeaker wherein the tweeter loudspeaker is oriented towards listeners of an audio conference are also disclosed.

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: In a communication device (1) that is designed to deliver sound, in an against the-ear mode, into a space (22) bounded by the ear and, in an away-from-the-ear mode, into an acoustic free space, a loudspeaker (3) is provided for generating the sound and a holding device (2) is furthermore provided, which holding device (2) comprises a first holding-device region (16) via which, in the against-the-ear mode, the sound generated by the loudspeaker (3) can be delivered without hindrance by the ear and which holding device (2) comprises a second holding-device region (15A) that does not comprise the first holding-device region (16) and via which, in the against-the-ear mode, the sound generated by the loudspeaker (3) can be fed to the space (22) bounded by the ear and a first sound-conveying device is furthermore provided with whose aid the sound generated by the loudspeaker (3) can be conveyed, in the away-from-the-ear mode, through the first holding-device region (16) into the acoustic free space, and a second so

Abstract: An acoustic pass through is provided in telephone handsets for sounds transmitted from a hands free operation speaker laid out underneath the handset. One or more cutouts in a middle portion of the handset in various shapes such as rectangular, round, elliptical, and similar allows enhanced sound quality when the speakerphone feature is used and flexibility in handset design.

Abstract: An adaptable or universal communication interface module is linked to a main speakerphone module having audio pickup and playback capabilities, resides between the telephone and the communications line and allows users to utilize a non-manufacturer-specific speakerphone, i.e., that that can be used with any telephone communication system. When the user wishes to conduct a “hands free” conversation, the interface module will capture the audio signals and send them to the main speakerphone module to be played on loudspeakers. The interface module will also take the processed audio signal from the main speakerphone module and plant it in the communication link in place of the audio signals coming out of the telephone.

Abstract: A new speakerphone wherein a loudspeaker is oriented to face the listeners of an audio conference. New speakerphones which have a bass loudspeaker and at least one tweeter loudspeaker wherein the tweeter loudspeaker is oriented towards listeners of an audio conference are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an FM transmitter and, more specifically, to an FM transmitter comprised in the headphone or the ear bud accessories to portable audio players. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A sound pickup apparatus includes a plurality of microphones, and a controller that receives signals from the plurality of microphones respectively. When the controller detects a failure in one of the plurality of microphones based on the signals received from the plurality of microphones, the controller restricts a signal from at least one remain non-failure microphone.

Abstract: An earpiece unit is held adjacent to or within a cell phone. The earpiece includes a microphone and speaker and is wearable in a user's ear. The earpiece is docked within the housing of a cell phone and can be used in the docked position to operate the phone. A user can push on the back of the earpiece to eject the earpiece from the phone housing so that the earpiece can be easily inserted into the user's ear. The user can be provided with a “pause” control on the cell phone that indicates to the cell phone system that a call is going to be answered. Upon activation of the “pause” control, the cell phone system can pause its efforts to establish communications and/or temporarily reduce the intensity of transmissions. A message is sent to the caller notifying that the call is about to be answered.

Abstract: A speakerphone with a jack or a plug to allow a full featured speakerphone to be used with a wireless telephone handset. In one embodiment, a jack is installed on a speakerphone. A cable can connect the speakerphone using this jack and a headset jack on wireless phone handset. In another embodiment, the cable is embedded in the speakerphone. In another embodiment, the speakerphone is operated by an internal power source.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a wireless electronic device comprising a main body and an earphone assembly being retractably disposed in the main body with two ends provided at one side of the main body capable of being pulled outward and a cable portion between the two ends adapted to extend through the other side of the main body to form an enclosed loop. By utilizing this wireless electronic device, a user may put the loop of the earphone assembly on a hook of wall or on the neck for hanging the electronic device, and may also pull speakers respectively disposed at the ends of the earphone assembly out of the main body and put the speakers into the ears for listening.

Abstract: A driving circuit selectively operates a hands-free loudspeaker and an earpiece speaker of a mobile terminal. The driving circuit includes a voiceband electronic circuit with a balanced output adapted for being switched between an in-phase and an opposite-phase mode, an interconnection function for connecting the earpiece speaker directly to the balanced output of the voiceband circuit, and an adder circuit for adding signals supplied by each port of the balanced output and for providing the sum-signal to the hands-free loudspeaker.

Abstract: In a system having a handsfree function to answer an incoming call handsfree and another function, when an incoming call arrives, a handsfree unit informs a user about an arrival of the incoming call and sets a user operation invalid state in which any user operation is made invalid during a predetermined period. The handsfree unit regards a user operation performed after the predetermined period passes as an operation for the incoming call, and performs incoming call answering processing corresponding to the user operation. When a user operation is performed in the user operation invalid state, the handsfree unit causes the user operation to be invalid.

Abstract: An adaptable or universal communication interface module is linked to a main speakerphone module having audio pickup and playback capabilities, resides between the telephone and the communications line and allows users to utilize a non-manufacturer-specific speakerphone, i.e., that that can be used with any telephone communication system. When the user wishes to conduct a “hands free” conversation, the interface module will capture the audio signals and send them to the main speakerphone module to be played on loudspeakers. The interface module will also take the processed audio signal from the main speakerphone module and plant it in the communication link in place of the audio signals coming out of the telephone.

Abstract: A hands-free device (1) for use with communications devices (3) is provided. In response to operation of a particular user input, the hands-free device (1) causes the communications device (3) with which it is associated to call a particular number. Therefore a call to a particular number can be activated directly by a user via the hands-free device (1). The user input may comprise a dedicated or an existing button on the hands-free device (1). The button may be activated by a pre-determined operation such as a single activation of the button or by a sequence of activations. The particular number to be called may comprise an incoming number that has been stored in a memory of the hands-free device (1).

Abstract: This product makes it easier to have long conversation while in bed without having to hold the phone up to your ear for long periods of time or having a head phone clamp tightly around or stuck in your ear. Your audio is clear as ever and you don't even have to talk into the pillow, just talk regular and the conversation is still private unlike using a speakerphone.

Abstract: Disclosed are a mobile communication terminal provided with a hands-free function and a controlling method thereof comprising the steps of: setting a hands-free function of a mobile communication terminal; certifying whether an originating call command or a calling request message are received; searching information of a calling party inputted by a user's voice or an arbitrary originating party's information from a mounted telephone directory; and guiding the searched calling party's information by voice and then connecting a calling. According to this, the user can originate or receive a calling by using a voice recognition function and the hands-free function of the terminal without his hands' using even while driving.

Abstract: Disclosed are a mobile communication terminal provided with a hands-free function and a controlling method thereof comprising the steps of: setting a hands-free function of a mobile communication terminal; certifying whether an originating call command or a calling request message are received; searching information of a calling party inputted by a user's voice or an arbitrary originating party's information from a mounted telephone directory; and guiding the searched calling party's information by voice and then connecting a calling. According to this, the user can originate or receive a calling by using a voice recognition function and the hands-free function of the terminal without his hands' using even while driving.