Headgear Patents (Class 455/575.2)
  • Patent number: 7853300
    Abstract: A sliding mechanism includes two members, one of which is slidable with respect to the other along an axis. One of the members slides back and forth with respect to the other between a first position and a second position. A leaf spring is used as a positioning element to hold one of the members in either the first position or the second position. The leaf spring is attached to one of the two members and the other of the two members includes a projection. The leaf spring abuts the projection holding the slidable member in either the first position or the second position. When a user pushes one of the members from one position to another, the projection pushes the leaf spring out of the way until it passes an apex of the leaf spring and is held in the other position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Interplex Nas, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack Seidler
  • Patent number: 7848786
    Abstract: A portable electronic device has various functions such as mobile communication, multimedia entertainment, and data processing. The device includes a main body installed with two keyboards and two slide rails, and two sub-bodies respectively equipped with a display. The sub-bodies are pivoted to each other and rotate through a shaft, and slide along slide rails through connecting members on the main body respectively. Therefore, the sub-bodies can be lifted relative to the main body through the shaft and the connecting members, so as to be optionally drawn close to the main body with the two displays facing the same direction, or to stand on the main body with the two displays facing opposite directions. Therefore, two different operating modes are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Foxconn Communication Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chung-Yu Liu, Wang-Hung Yeh, Ping-Chu Tsai
  • Patent number: 7844303
    Abstract: Several of the components used to implement a wireless transmitter, such as a DC-powered FM transmitter usable for playing media content from a personal media player over a vehicle's FM radio, are organized using an arrangement by which a controller that includes a user interface is removably couplable to a charger plug that interfaces with a power source. An arrangement for removably coupling a device connector in the transmitter to the charger plug is also provided. In an illustrative example, the controller and charger plug are configured with magnetic elements which are used to retain the controller against an end of the charger plug using magnetic force. A portion of the device connector is removably insertable into an elastically deformable connector cap that is configured to removably slide over the charger plug end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Jubelirer
  • Patent number: 7844311
    Abstract: A mobile terminal having acoustic transducers and method for using the same are provided. The acoustic transducers are detachably mounted in a terminal body. When the acoustic transducers are mounted in the terminal body, they are operated as speakers, and when the acoustic transducers are separated from the terminal body, the acoustic transducers are operated as at least one of a wireless earphone and the microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Myoung-Jae Kim
  • Patent number: 7844220
    Abstract: Disclosed is a headset which includes a radio communication unit and control unit. The radio communication unit has 2 communication mode. The first mode is used for communication with an access point connected to a fixed network. The second mode is used for communication with a specific portable communication terminal. The communication control unit judges whether the headset can communicate with the access point. The communication control unit selects either one of said first and said second mode based on the judgment result. When the first mode is selected, the communication control unit connects the headset to the fixed network with the telephone number of the specific portable communication terminal as a telephone number of the call originating party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Weizhong Wang
  • Patent number: 7839881
    Abstract: A headset apparatus including a virtual keypad and a method for inputting data into a headset are provided. In one embodiment, a headset includes a processor, at least one acoustic transducer, a projector operably coupled to the processor for displaying an image on a surface exterior to the headset, and a position detector operably coupled to the processor for determining an image position and a user finger position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry J. Lee, Timothy Paul Johnston
  • Patent number: 7840242
    Abstract: An earphone antenna includes: earphone cords; an earphone portion; a coaxial cable; and a pin plug connector portion; wherein the earphone cords cooperate with a shielded line of the coaxial cable using a connection point with the coaxial cable as a feeding point to constitute an antenna for receiving RF signals; wherein conductor lines constituting a core wire of the coaxial cable form signal lines for transmitting audio signals and a ground line; and wherein the coaxial cable is connected with a separation-superimposition circuit portion which is mounted at a side of the pin plug connector portion or at a side of a wireless electronic device and acts to separate the RF signals and the audio signals and to superimpose the audio signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Yoshino
  • Patent number: 7831277
    Abstract: A wireless communications device and method for providing an output signal. The device includes a control unit for controlling the operation of the wireless communications device; a selection element connected to the control unit and configured to allow selection of several modes of output coupling for generating the output signal of the device; and, a processor connected to the control unit for processing a received signal with parameters selected according to a selected mode of output coupling. The several modes of output coupling correspond to several modes of input operation for a hearing aid to improve coupling between the device and the hearing aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Larry Edward Hawker, Scott MacIntosh
  • Patent number: 7826876
    Abstract: An improved portable mobile phone is disclosed wherein the mobile phone comprises two modules and the mobile phone can function properly when the two modules are physically connected as well as when the two modules are detached, and wherein the mobile phone has two modes of operation, one of which is the communication mode of operation and another one of which is the entertainment mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Inventor: Wang Su
  • Patent number: 7818036
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a communications system implementing a headset wirelessly connected to a half-duplex communications device, such as a two-way radio or a radio-simulating cellular phone. The headset may incorporate a transmit/receive switch wherein a transmit signal is wirelessly transmitted from the headset to the communications device to direct the communications device to enter into a transmit mode. Alternatively, a wireless transmit/receive switch may be implemented separately from the wireless headset, where the wireless transmit/receive switch may be positioned in the proximity of the communications device and the headset and may be engaged by a user to direct the communications device to enter a transmit mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Radeum, Inc.
    Inventors: John Lair, Anthony J. Sutera, Douglas H. Dobyns
  • Patent number: 7818037
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a communications system implementing a microphone wirelessly connected to a half-duplex communications device, such as a two-way radio or a radio-simulating cellular phone. The microphone may incorporate a transmit/receive switch wherein a transmit signal is wirelessly transmitted from the microphone to the communications device to direct the communications device to enter into a transmit mode. The microphone may communicate with the half-duplex communications device through a magnetic induction link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Radeum, Inc.
    Inventors: John Lair, Anthony J. Sutera, Douglas H. Dobyns
  • Patent number: 7813698
    Abstract: A modular wireless headset includes wearable earpiece(s) and wearable microphone(s), where the earpiece and microphone may be physically separate devices. The wearable earpiece renders inbound radio frequencies received from a host device audible. The wearable earpiece may include a receiver module, data recovery module, and speaker module. The receiver module may convert inbound RF signals into low intermediate frequency (IF) signals. The data recovery module recovers audio signals from the low IF signals. The speaker module renders the audio signals audible. The wearable microphone converts received audio signals into outbound RF signals, where the outbound RF signals are transmitted to the host device. The wearable microphone includes an audio input module and a transmitter module. The audio input module is operably coupled to convert received analog audio signals into digital audio signals. The transmitter module is operably coupled to convert the digital audio signals into the outbound RF signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Nambirajan Seshadri, James D. Bennett, Jeyhan Karaoguz
  • Patent number: 7805109
    Abstract: A detachable earphone structure includes an earphone body and a transmitter detachable from the earphone body. The earphone body has an opening portion, a pair of connecting terminals installed in the opening portion and electrically connected to an internal circuit. The transmitter has a pair of contact terminals stored in the opening portion of the earphone body or detachably connected to the earphone body for electrically conducting the connecting terminal and the contact terminal through the contact of the connecting terminal with the contact terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Cal-Comp Electronics and Communications Company Limited
    Inventors: Tse-Ming Tsai, Chen-Yi Hsiao, Shang-Hsing Chung
  • Patent number: 7805114
    Abstract: In Situ Re-Configurable Wireless Communications System (IRCWCS) in combination with a wearable computer provides an individual user at a public gathering place, fixed facility or non-stationary object with new and enhanced capabilities. In one embodiment of the invention, the re-configurable wireless communication system includes a portable wireless access unit and a Long Range Ethernet (LRE) network switch that connects to an existing LAN. A bridge device such as an LRE puck connects the portable wireless access unit to the LRE network switch through a communications infrastructure. A wearable computer in wireless communication with the portable wireless access unit using a radio frequency link allows communication of video, voice and data to and from the existing LAN through the LRE network switch. The LRE network switch couples to a central command station through the existing LAN.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Bath Iron Works Corporation
    Inventors: W. Vincent Quintana, Michael J. Rinaldi, Mark A. Norton, Scott Houston
  • Patent number: 7805171
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wireless communication device capable of being positioned in a wearable position adjacent a user's head. The wireless communication device may include a housing and an arcuate earmount coupled to the housing. The earmount may be configured so that it includes an overhanging portion and a hinge portion, the hinge portion electrically and mechanically coupling the earmount to the housing. A proximity sensor can be positioned on the overhanging portion and configured to detect proximity of a user's skin behind the user's ear. The sensor location for earmounted devices can provide that the sensor may be trapped between the user's ear auricle and the user's head as the earmount sits down on the top portion of the ear, which may result in accurate sensing activation. The device may be further configured to, for example, change a state based on whether the proximity sensor detects proximity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility, Inc.
    Inventors: Rachid Mohsen Alameh, Jin Dong Kim, Thomas Yates Merrell
  • Patent number: 7787913
    Abstract: A system for converting an existing aircraft communication system to a wireless communication system has a wireless headset for transmitting and receiving communication signals. At least one aircraft transceiver having a connector to plug the transceiver to a headphone jack in the existing aircraft communication system is provided. The transceiver sends communication signals from the existing aircraft communication system and wirelessly transmits the communication signals to the transceiver and wirelessly receives communications signals from the wireless headset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Bradley D. Cornell
  • Patent number: 7778435
    Abstract: An earpiece that substantially lacks a lower lobe is disclosed. The earpiece has a generally arcuate rib having upper and lower ends. A generally vertical rib extends substantially between the upper and lower ends of the generally arcuate rib. A lobe is formed at the upper end of the arcuate rib. No lobe is similarly formed at the lower end of the arcuate rib. Eliminating the lower lobe mitigates discomfort during use and also reduces the likelihood of tissue damage and infection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: SureFire, LLC
    Inventors: Richard C. Smith, Diann Y. Smith
  • Patent number: 7778433
    Abstract: A two-piece wireless hearing improvement system having a pocket piece and an earpiece, wherein the pocket piece includes a microphone adapted to receive analog signals, a first processor coupled to the microphone to convert the analog signals to digital signals, and a first transceiver coupled to the processor to transmit the digital signals. The earpiece includes a second transceiver for receiving the digital signals, a second processor coupled to the second transceiver for converting the digital signals to analog signals, a speaker coupled to the second processor for transmitting the analog signals, and a movement detector for detecting relative movements between the earpiece and the pocket piece and generating a first signal according to the relative movements. The first processor provides signal compensation based on the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: John-See Lee, Chein-Wei Jen, Gin-Kou Ma, Li-Ren Huang
  • Patent number: 7778410
    Abstract: A personal audio listening device is adapted to be worn on a user's ear, and includes a housing, a pivotal knob, and an ear hook member. The housing has a surface and a hollow portion, and defines a first axis and a second axis. The pivotal knob is pivotally mounted on the surface of the housing, and includes a pair of parallel resilient walls. The ear hook member includes a hook body and an end portion. The end portion includes a pivot element in the form of a polygonal post. The hook body is configured to be wearable on the user's ear. The ear hook member is fittingly received between the resilient walls by means of the pivot element so as to be mounted on the pivotal knob. The ear hook member is pivotable about the first axis, and is rotatable about the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsin Liu, Chung-Chun Wu, Yu-Chang Hung, Liang-Yi Liu
  • Publication number: 20100190536
    Abstract: A headset holster receives a small headset and includes a base member having a top face and a bottom face. A pair of protrusions extend from the top face. A channel is formed between the pair of protrusions. An elastic strap extending between the pair of protrusions, over the channel. An adhesive tape is double-sided and adheres to the bottom face on a top surface of the adhesive tape. The adhesive tape has an adhesive bottom surface. A bottom rim may continue as a loop, or may be discontinuous on an inside area facing toward the elastic band. The headset holster is preferably attached to a cell phone, or wireless device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: Barbara Blasko
  • Patent number: 7761091
    Abstract: A method and system for providing low-noise, high-fidelity wireless Bluetooth earphones with control operation either at the earphone or the player that operate to control the volume and other functionality from either location in a seamless manner and provide probe volume control display regardless of which location is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Etymotic Research, Inc.
    Inventors: William Franklin Dunn, Jr., David M. Friesema, Gail I. Gudmundsen
  • Publication number: 20100167796
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a main body, an earphone partitioning structure, and a cover. The main body defines an earphone housing to removably receive an earphone. The earphone partitioning structure is disposed in the earphone housing and includes a first limiting wall and a second limiting wall. The first and the second limiting walls are configured to restrict movement of the earphone. The cover is detachably coupled with the main body for covering and uncovering the earphone housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD ., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: YUNG-HUNG CHU, WEN-YAN YANG
  • Patent number: 7747003
    Abstract: A wireless headphone device has a first elongate portion having first and second opposite ends with an attachment interface at the first end, the first portion comprising an on-board power supply and a transceiver with functional circuitry, and a second elongate portion coupled pivotally to the first portion at the second end, and having an ear bud and a microphone at an end away from the pivotal coupling. The functional circuitry enables receiving and playing of audio from an MP3 player through the ear bud, and use as speaker and microphone for a wirelessly coupled telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Legacy IP LLC
    Inventors: Paul Regen, Peter Garrett
  • Patent number: 7747295
    Abstract: An earphone jack for a mobile communication terminal and a driving method thereof, wherein the earphone jack includes a first speaker terminal for providing a positive (+) differential call voice signal when a call voice signal is output, a second speaker terminal for providing a negative (?) differential call voice signal when the call voice signal is output, and a switchable ground terminal for maintaining a ground on state when a media sound source is output, and becoming a ground off state when the call voice signal is output. The method includes the steps of determining whether an audio signal to be currently output is a media sound source signal (that is, a sound source media data signal), or a call voice signal (that is, a wireless call voice signal), and when the media sound source signal is output, maintaining a ground on state and outputting the media sound source signal in stereo, and when the call voice signal is output, maintaining a ground off state and outputting a differential signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyu-Sic Choi
  • Patent number: 7725137
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a battery device for preventing danger caused by battery overheating in a mobile terminal, and a method of operating the battery device. In the battery device, a battery state sensor periodically monitors a change in the state of a battery during operation or charging of the battery, and outputs a predetermined signal corresponding to the monitored state change, a controller senses a battery overheating-caused danger from the signal received from the battery state sensor and outputs a control signal, and an automatic locker separates the battery from the mobile terminal according to the control signal received from the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Kwon-Yee Lee
  • Patent number: 7725136
    Abstract: In a cellular phone applicable as an information processing apparatus of the invention, an audio data transfer control unit controls streaming transfer of encoded audio data to a headset through wireless communication, and a hands-free control unit controls hands-free communication with the headset through wireless communication. Furthermore, a transmitting/receiving unit transmits/receives data to/from the headset in the streaming transfer of the encoded audio to the headset through the wireless communication or in control over hands-free communication with the headset through wireless communication, and a retransmission control unit controls the retransmission of the data to be transmitted to the headset through the transmitting/receiving processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Toshiya Tamura
  • Patent number: 7725141
    Abstract: An improved portable mobile phone is disclosed wherein the mobile phone comprises two modules and the mobile phone can function properly when the two modules are physically connected as well as when the two modules are detached, and wherein the mobile phone has two modes of operation, one of which is the communication mode of operation and another one of which is the entertainment mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Inventor: Wang Su
  • Patent number: 7720234
    Abstract: A communications interface device is wearable about a user's neck, and can have various audio communications devices—such as cellphones, walkie-talkies, radios, scanners, digital music players, etc.—connected to the interface device to serve as a central communications hub. An audio input microphone is provided on the device to pick up audio messages that the user wishes to deliver, with such messages then being directed to the appropriate connected communications device. Speakers, which preferably extend from the interface device via flexible leads, supply audio from one or more of the connected communications devices to the user's ears. A switch or other selector is provided on the interface device to allow user selection of the communications devices from which the user wishes to receive (and to which the user wishes to send) messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Dreamsarun, Ltd
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Winslow, Alex Saban
  • Patent number: 7715873
    Abstract: A wearable accessory may provide visual indicia of an incoming network event for a wireless telecommunications device. The wireless telecommunications device may detect the presence of the wearable accessory within a wireless personal area network. After detecting the presence of the wearable accessory, the wireless telecommunications device may determine the display type of the wearable accessory and if any interface software is required to properly communicate a signal to the wearable accessory. Upon receipt of an incoming network event, the wireless telecommunications device may send a signal to the wearable accessory based on the display type of the wearable accessory, thereby causing the wearable accessory to provide visual indicia of the incoming network event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Devon Leon Biere, Michael Arthur Gailloux
  • Patent number: 7715799
    Abstract: A headset monitoring system includes a plurality of headsets and a base station. Each headset includes a microphone, a speaker, a transceiver, and a memory device for storing an identification code, and the base station includes a transceiver, a microprocessor, a memory device, and a user interface. The base station is configured to send and receive data to and from the headsets and is further configured to identify headsets that are not functioning properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gebran J. Sabongi, Ronald W. Hall
  • Patent number: 7715888
    Abstract: A decorative wireless earphone is a single piece integrated with a necklace, a microphone, a main unit and an earpiece. The main unit has a shape of pendant and the earplug is hidden behind the ornamental part. The lead wire is received in the necklace. The distance between the microphone and the earpiece is almost equal to the distance between the mouth and the ear of human. Due to the wireless earphone being designed as an ornament, it could be worn on the neck naturally and reasonably with less chance of being lost, convenience and easy-storage. Hence, the decorative wireless earphone of the present invention has enhanced the value thereof additionally and has promoted competition thereof in the market.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Micro-Star Intl Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Li-Li Ko
  • Patent number: 7706849
    Abstract: A mobile communication device comprises an internal antenna device for receiving low-band signals of operating frequency band below 1 GHz, and the internal antenna device can be connected in series or parallel with an external antenna such as an earphone. The mobile communication device of the invention uses the internal antenna device for receiving low-band signals, enabling radio alarm function and timed recording of radio programs without plugging in an external earphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Mediatek Inc.
    Inventor: Shyh-Tirng Fang
  • Patent number: 7702356
    Abstract: A keypad assembly for a mobile station comprises a base pad adapted to support a plurality of keys, the plurality of keys comprising a plurality of first keys and a plurality of second keys. The keypad assembly also comprises the plurality of first keys and the plurality of second keys arranged on the base pad, the plurality of second keys defined by horizontal center lines and vertical center lines of the plurality of first keys. The plurality of second keys may be further defined by outer perimeters of the plurality of first keys. The keypad assembly may further comprise a strength reinforcing plate coupled to the base pad, adapted to mechanically strengthen the keypad assembly. An alphabetic character may be assigned to each of the plurality of first keys. A numeral may be assigned to at least one of the plurality of second keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Cheal-Hoon Choi
  • Patent number: 7697947
    Abstract: A wireless communication device mixes audio content by combining audio signals from two or more different audio sources available at the wireless communication device and directing the mixed audio signal to a selected audio output circuit included in or associated with the wireless communication device. The audio signals can comprise received audio signals, stored audio signals, or a combination thereof. The audio signals can be synchronized, and one or more video signals may be synchronized with them. In at least one embodiment, the wireless communication device includes one or more circuits, such as a baseband or system processor, configured as a mixing circuit. An included (mixing) control circuit may be configured to control a user interface of the wireless communication device to support audio source selections, mixed audio signal output destinations, and audio signal control (volume, tone, etc.) for audio signals included in the mixed audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Ivan Nelson Wakefield
  • Patent number: 7693558
    Abstract: A wireless communication terminal transmitting/receiving data with a folder closed and a method thereof are disclosed. The wireless communication terminal includes: a wireless transceiver for transmitting and receiving data through a wireless communication network; a storage for storing the transmitted data and the received data; a detector for detecting a state of the folder of the wireless communication terminal in order to determine whether the folder is opened or closed; an outputting unit for indicating a result of the data transmission/reception; and a controller for analyzing the transmitted/received data to detect the last packet of the data, and continuing to perform the data transmission/reception without regard to the detected state of the folder until the last packet of the data has been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Pantech & Curitel Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin-Woo You, Chun-Ho Park
  • Publication number: 20100081488
    Abstract: A communication device includes a portable housing and a processor housed in the housing. The processor is configured to receive first signals from an external audio player. A transmitter is housed in the housing for wirelessly transmitting second signals to an external receiver in accordance with a first communication protocol such that sounds corresponding to the second signals can be produced through a speaker system of the external receiver. A communication module is also housed in the housing for wirelessly communicating with a wireless phone in accordance with a second communication protocol such that third signals associated with a phone call can be transmitted between the wireless phone and the processor. The device is provided with a headset having a microphone and an earpiece. The headset is configured so as to be connected to the processor such that the phone call can be made through the wireless phone with the use of the headset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventor: Justin C. Kim
  • Patent number: 7689248
    Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new method, apparatus and software product for listening assistance to a user of a phone terminal with a headset or a hearing aid for selective listening of a local acoustic source in a noisy environment by said user utilizing a combination of said phone terminal and said headset. The method for the listening assistance comprises of placing the phone terminal near a desired local acoustic source, switching a mode of the phone terminal to a listening mode, providing to the headset or to the hearing aid a signal (e.g., a wireless signal) generated by the phone terminal in response to an acoustic signal from the local acoustic source, and providing to the user an output acoustic signal generated by the headset or by the hearing aid in response to that signal thus providing said listening assistance to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Päivi Valve, Leo Kärkkäinen, Juha Backman, Jari Sjöberg
  • Patent number: 7684560
    Abstract: An earset including a main housing with a microphone and an ear speaker mounted therein; a cover rotatably connected to the main housing and rotating along a first hinge axis to expose or close the ear speaker, the ear speaker being exposed with rotation of the cover and rotating along a second hinge axis to be protruded out from the main housing and fitted into the ear of a user; and first and second hinge devices providing the first and second hinge axes, respectively, and rotatably connecting the cover and the ear speaker to the main housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kyung-Eun Sung, Sang-Min Hyun, Chang-Soo Lee
  • Patent number: 7680490
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for transmitting multimedia content stored on a network to a mobile telephone and/or other rendering device (e.g., a mobile telephone accessory). In one embodiment, a mobile telephone and a mobile telephone accessory (e.g., a headset) are communicatively coupled to a network. The mobile telephone requests information from a device associated with the network. The mobile telephone selects information from a content server to be rendered and a rendering device. The mobile telephone configures the rendering device to receive the information from the network through a network adapter. The mobile telephone maintains control of the session and the rendering device through a second interface (e.g., Bluetooth).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: L. Scott Bloebaum, Erwin Weinans
  • Patent number: 7680267
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Bradford, Jay Wilson, Claude Zellweger
  • Publication number: 20100056233
    Abstract: An over-the-ear Bluetooth® type communications headset for hands-free communication with mobile phones and similar devices, the headset being convertible to a ring configuration for wearing on the finger as a communications device and as jewelry. The headset is divided into ear-piece and voice-piece halves that swivel between headset and ring modes, with respective S- and circular shapes, and includes function-changing contacts that respond to the realignment of the halves in the respective headset and ring modes to optimize the device's use for over-the-ear or finger wear. A further feature is a set of interior spring contacts projecting from the inner circumference of one of the halves, the contacts having both electrical recharging and finger-fitting functions, and a finger-shaped charging base for recharging the headset in the ring configuration via the spring contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Joseph Adam Thiel, Ryan David Wells
  • Publication number: 20100048135
    Abstract: There is provided a headset comprising a cable (200), an operating portion (500) displaceable along the cable (200) and having a wireless transmitting unit (510) for wirelessly transmitting control signals and a wireless receiving unit (110) for wirelessly receiving the control signals wirelessly transmitted by the wireless transmitting unit (510).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Stefan Marten
  • Patent number: 7668308
    Abstract: Various embodiments of active headsets and/or headphones, including in-the-ear devices with boom microphones, are presented with, among other things, power-saving features, cell-phone functions, and automated activation and deactivation. Various novel methods and related circuitry are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: LightSPEED Aviation, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Wurtz
  • Publication number: 20100041447
    Abstract: A headset includes a wearable body, first and second earphones extending from the wearable body, controls for controlling an external communication/multimedia device wirelessly, a microphone for picking up vocal data from a user of the headset system and a signal processing unit. The signal processing unit includes circuitry for processing the vocal data into a distinctly audible vocal feedback signal, circuitry for enhancing the vocal feedback signal thereby producing an enhanced vocal feedback signal and circuitry for mixing the enhanced vocal feedback signal with audio signals originating from the external communication/multimedia device, thereby producing a mixed output signal and then sending the mixed output signal to the user via the earphones. The external communication/multimedia device comprises a vocal command application and the headset further comprises a vocal command control for sending vocal commands to the external communication/multimedia device and to the vocal command application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventor: WILL WANG GRAYLIN
  • Patent number: 7664540
    Abstract: A Bluetooth earphone set, which includes a main unit that houses an auto-reversible first winding mechanism and an auto-reversible second winding mechanism, an earphone cable coupled to the auto-reversible first winding mechanism for voice output, a signal connector cable coupled to the auto-reversible second winding mechanism and connectable to a cell phone, a switch, which is switched between a first position for enabling the earphone cable to output voice signal that is received wirelessly from a cell phone by the main unit and a second position for enabling the earphone to output voice signal that is received from a cell phone through the signal connector cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventor: Jin-Chou Tsai
  • Patent number: 7664470
    Abstract: A wireless transceiver includes a resin case having a hollow space that accepts the mechanical key, a mechanical key having a hook for engagement with the resin case, and a reinforcement made of a metal plate for reinforcing the resin case. The hollow space in the resin case is defined by a combination of a thin wall and a thick wall, and the resin case has a depression that accepts the hook on the mechanical key when the mechanical key is accepted in the hollow space. The reinforcement disposed in the proximity of the depression in the thin wall bridges the thin wall and the thick wall when the reinforcement is either embedded in or fixed on both of the thin wall and the thick wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Sugimoto, Mitsuru Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 7664539
    Abstract: A foldable portable terminal of the present invention includes a body cabinet 1 provided with a microphone 14 and a cover cabinet 2 provided with first and second speakers 41, 42, openably/closably coupled to each other. Any one or both of the cabinets are provided with closing means for closing a sound emitting hole 22a of the first speaker in a closed state of the both cabinets. Alternatively, a partition wall for partitioning the first speaker and the second speaker is formed inside the cover cabinet. Alternatively, the body cabinet has an inner surface provided with a transmission unit 6 incorporating a microphone 63 and being rotatable between a first rotational posture where the unit faces the inner surface side of the body cabinet and a second rotational posture where the unit faces a direction deviating from the cover cabinet in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Noma, Nobuaki Kobayashi, Masuo Tanaka, Shinichi Yamamoto, Motoaki Mushika, Kiyotada Kawakami, Atsumi Okamoto
  • Patent number: 7657024
    Abstract: A wireless headset system includes a headset and a programming device. The programming device can be in the headset or in a base that is connectable to the headset. The headset has programmable device and a transceiver. The base has a programming device. The programming device programs the programmable device in the headset to control the transceiver to communicate directly with any cordless telephone base station, allowing hands free use of the telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventor: Lei Huang
  • Patent number: RE41256
    Abstract: An audio recording and reproducing apparatus includes a controller for controlling the entire behaviors, hard disc for write and read of audio data, audio compression/expansion circuit for expanding compressed audio data, and external I/O port. The audio recording and reproducing apparatus is connected to a network service center to obtain desired music data from storage of the network service center and to store it in the hard disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunori Ozawa, Nobuhiro Tone, Masahiro Asai
  • Patent number: RE41702
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Bobisuthi, Lawrence Gollbach, Robert Bernardi, Steven F. Burson