Description

WIRELESS HEADSET

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a wireless headset and, more particularly, to an improved wireless headset, which is functionally improved, thus realizing a greater variety of applications.

[2]

Background Art

[3] Generally, the term "headset" refers to a personal audio signal processing device, that is, a device that is worn on the head of the human body using an ear attachment means, in particular, that is configured such that the main body thereof is located in an outer ear of the human body. Such a headset is classified as a general type headset using a headband, an ear-hook headset using an ear-hook, and a neck-band type headset using a neck-band according to the shape of ear attachment means that is implemented. Furthermore, such a headset is classified as a wired type headset or a wireless type headset according to the method by which it is connected with a corresponding transmission and reception device (for example, an MPEG Layer-3 (MP3) player, a Compact Disc Player (CDP), a Television (TV) receiver, a mobile phone, or a device that is a combination thereof), regardless of the shape thereof.

[4] FIG. 1 shows an example of an ear-hook headset, which is called an "earset", among conventional headsets. The headset includes a main body 1 having a speaker 2 and a microphone 3, and an ear hook 4 which is coupled to the main body 2 to thus enable the speaker 3 of the main body 1 to be located in the outer ear of the human body when the headset is worn. Functional buttons, such as a phone button 5 and a volume control button 6, are mounted on the surface of the main body 1. The headset is connected with a transmission and reception device via a wireless interface, which is provided in the main body 1 and meets the Bluetooth standard. Accordingly, the transmission and reception of audio signals is performed between the headset and the transmission and reception unit.

[5] The headset has considerable utility in that it makes it convenient to use transmission and reception devices, in that it ensures personal privacy in public places and does not interfere with the personal lives of other people, and in that it can be used as a hands-free device for mobile phones. However, the conventional headset has the following two problems.

[6] First, the conventional headset can be worn only on the head of the human body for use thereof. In other words, the conventional headset cannot be used at a location at

which it is spaced apart from the human body and, in addition, cannot be coupled to another output device, for example, a sound output device, a video output device or a combination device thereof for use thereof. This is because, although the headset itself is a kind of sound output device, it has a very low output level, and because the use method thereof is limited to placing it on the head before use.

[7] Second, the conventional headset is passively used only as a hands-free device.

That is, the conventional headset performs only the input/output of audio signals, and a call connection to another specific party cannot be actively requested using the audio signals. The request for the call connection can only be made using a mobile phone having numerical buttons. The reason for this is because it is impossible in practice to provide a plurality of numerical buttons, which are used to make calls, on the small- sized product, which is worn on the head of the human body.

[8]

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[9] An object of the present invention is to provide a headset, which not only can be used in a general "portable mode", in which the headset is worn on the head of the human body for the use thereof, but also can be physically coupled with another output device for the use thereof. Another object of the present invention is to provide a headset, which can actively request a call connection with another specific party.

[10]

Technical Solution

[11] The wireless headset of the present invention includes a main body, which includes a microcomputer for controlling the overall operation of the headset, a speaker and a microphone, and a wireless interface, and an ear attachment means, which is coupled to the main body and is configured such the main body can be located in the outer ear of the human body in a portable mode. In these points, the wireless headset of the present invention is not different from general headsets.

[12] The headset of the present invention is characterized in that it includes: an AUX terminal, which is configured to extend from the main body and to be inserted into the AUX jack of another output device, thus enabling connection with the output device; and a call button unit, which is provided with memory for storing specific phone numbers and is designed to extract and transmit the stored phone numbers.

[13] It is preferred that the AUX terminal be coupled so as to be rotated around the main body using a hinge mechanism.

Advantageous Effects

[14] The headset according to the present invention includes an ear attachment means,

and can be used in a portable mode, like a conventional headset. Furthermore, the headset according to the present invention further includes an AUX terminal, so that it can be used in an AUX mode, in which the terminal of the headset is inserted into the AUX jack of another output device for the use thereof. That is, the headset of the present invention is advantageous in that switching between the portable mode and the AUX mode is possible.

[15] In addition to the above-described features, the headset of the present invention includes phone number memory and a call button unit, which operates in conjunction with phone numbers. Accordingly, the headset of the present invention has a function of calling another party to make a call, in addition to a mere, passive hands-free function. That is, a call with another party can be easily and quickly made using the headset of the present invention.

[16]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[17] FIG. 1 is a view of an example of a conventional headset;

[18] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a headset according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[19] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the construction of the main body of FIG. 2;

[20] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the coupling of the AUX terminal of FIG. 2;

[21] FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the coupling of the AUX terminal of FIG. 2;

[22] FIG. 6 is a view showing an application of the headset according to the embodiment of the present invention; and

[23] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the use of the headset according to the present invention.

[24] <Description of reference numerals of principle elements>

[25] 10: wireless headset 11: main body

[26] 12: ear attachment means 13: AUX terminal

[27] 14: speaker 15: microphone

[28] 18: interface 19: memory

[29] 20: call button unit 30: output device

[30] 36: mobile phone

[31]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[32] The features and effects of the wireless headset of the present invention, described above, will be clearer from the following detailed description, made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings below. It should be noted that an ear-hook headset is

illustrated and described as a headset according to the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to that shape.

[33] Referring to FIG. 2, the wireless headset according to the present invention is indicated by reference numeral 10. The headset 10 includes a main body 11, which includes a speaker 14 and a microphone 15, and an ear attachment means 12 and an AUX terminal 13, which are coupled to the main body 11. The headset 10 of the present invention can be selectively used in a portable mode or in an AUX mode using the ear attachment means 12 and the AUX terminal 13.

[34] The ear attachment means 12, shown as an ear hook, is coupled to one side of the main body 11 so as to be rotated. When the headset 10 is worn on the head using the ear attachment means 12, and when a portable mode is used, the main body 11 is located in the outer ear of the human body. In greater detail, the speaker 14 is located around the ear, and the microphone 15 is located close to, or is oriented toward, the mouth.

[35] In the present invention, any means that enables the main body 11 to be located in the outer ear when the headset 10 is worn on the head is sufficient to be used as the ear attachment means 12, and the present invention is not limited to any detailed shape or known type of ear attachment means 12. Accordingly, any of a headband, a neck band, or other well-known means, in addition to the ear hook shown in the drawing, may be selected for use as the ear attachment means 12.

[36] The main body 11 includes functional buttons, such as an On/Off button 16 and a volume up/down button 17, disposed on the surface thereof, in addition to the speaker 14 and the microphone 15. The provision of such elements in the headset 10 is not the gist of the present invention. Furthermore, the above-described functional buttons 16 and 17 do not need to be provided in the headset 10 of the present invention. For example, when the headset 10 is inserted into the AUX jack of another output device using the AUX terminal 13 and when the AUX mode is used, the functional buttons of the output device are used, instead of those of the main body 11.

[37] In the case where the headset 10 of the present invention is used in the AUX mode, it is further preferred that the speaker 14 of the main body 11 be prevented from operating in order to realize full-level sound output. Preferably, in consideration of this point, the speaker 14 is provided to be attachably detached, and is designed such that it is connected to the microcomputer to immediately form a circuit when mounted.

[38] Meanwhile, since the microphone 15 is located close to the mouth in the portable mode, no problem occurs in use even though a low or constant sound detection level is set. However, the use of the microphone 15 may be impossible at the initially set level because the microphone 15 may become spaced apart from the mouth in the AUX mode. Accordingly, the microphone 15 is designed such that the sound detection level

thereof can be adjusted.

[39] Preferably, when the microcomputer detects the attachment and detachment of the speaker 14, the sound detection level of the microphone 15 is adjusted to be in a "high" state if it is determined that the speaker 14 has been removed, whereas the sound detection level of the microphone 15 is adjusted to be in a "low" state if it is determined that the speaker 14 has been mounted. In order to realize full- level sound output, it is advantageous to separate the speaker 14 in the AUX mode in any case. Accordingly, making a design such that the sound detection level of the microphone 15 is adjusted to have a "high" state of the speaker 14 while separating the speaker 14 is considered an optimal combination. In contrast, the sound detection level of the microphone 15 may be adjusted through the manipulation of a separate switch.

[40] As described above, the sound detection level of the microphone 15 is set to "high" or "low" and thus the hands-free function of the headset 10 can be uninterruptedly maintained in the portable mode or in the AUX mode.

[41] The AUX terminal 13 is a coaxial terminal, and is configured such that one end thereof is electrically connected to the microcomputer of the main body 11 and the other end thereof extends downwards from the main body 11 and is connected to another output device by being directly inserted into the AUX jack of the output device, by which a connection with the output device is established. The headset 10 of the present invention can be used in the AUX mode using the AUX terminal 13.

[42] Referring to FIG. 3, the main body 11 further includes a wireless communication interface 18, memory 19, and a call button unit 20, in addition to the above-described elements 14, 15, 16 and 17. Furthermore, the elements 14 to 20, which constitute the main body 11, are connected to the microcomputer 21 to form a circuit, and the operation thereof is controlled by the microcomputer 21.

[43] The interface 18 is an element that enables the headset 10 to wirelessly communicate with a corresponding transmission and reception device. Although the popularized Bluetooth standard, which is a wireless communication standard, is preferably used as the wireless interface, Ultra Wideband (UWB), binary Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), or another well-known standard may be used.

[44] The memory 19 is memory that stores specific phone numbers, and the call button unit 20 is designed to be associated with the phone numbers, thus enabling the extraction of the numbers. The input and stored phone numbers may be a set of numbers that is assigned by the manufacturer or seller of the headset 10, or may be numbers that are arbitrarily assigned by a user. In greater detail, a call center number, an emergency number, or frequently used numbers may be input.

[45] When the call button unit 20 is manipulated, a phone number, which is associated with the manipulation of the call button unit 20, is extracted from the memory 19 and

is transmitted to the mobile phone (refer to reference numeral 36 in FIG. 6), which is a corresponding transmission and reception device, and a call signal corresponding to the phone number is transmitted through the mobile phone.

[46] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the AUX terminal 13 is coupled to the main body 11 so as to be rotated using a hinge mechanism. Referring to the drawings, the AUX terminal 13 has an end surface having a round shape. Prominences and depressions 21 are continuously formed on and in the end surface. Meanwhile, the main body 11 has an opposite surface that comes into contact with the end surface. Stop protrusions 23, which are elastically supported by springs 24, are mounted on the opposite surface.

[47] The AUX terminal 13 and the main body 11 are coupled to each other by a hinge shaft 22 in the state in which the end surface and the opposite surface come into contact with each other, and thus the AUX terminal 13 can be rotated around the main body 11. In this case, the stop protrusions 23 are disposed in the depressions of the prominences and depressions 21, and the rotation of the AUX terminal 13 is controlled by pressing the end surface of the AUX terminal 13. Accordingly, the AUX terminal 13 can be rotated a necessary amount around the main body 11.

[48] Referring to FIG. 6, the headset 10 of the present invention enables the AUX terminal 13 to be inserted into the AUX jack of an output device, which is installed in a vehicle. Reference numeral 30 indicates an output device that is installed in a vehicle, and reference numeral 31 indicates an AUX jack for receiving signals that are transmitted to the output device 30. In the case where the hinge mechanism is used, the AUX terminal 13 may be rotated a necessary amount, and may be inserted into the AUX jack 31.

[49] In this state, the headset 10 is used in the AUX mode. In the AUX mode, wireless communication is performed between the transmission and reception device, such as the mobile phone 36, and wired communication is performed between the headset 10 via the interface 17, the headset 10 and the output device 30 of the vehicle via both the AUX terminal 13 and the AUX jack 31.

[50] As described above, the headset 10 of the present invention can be used in the portable mode or in the AUX mode. In both the portable mode and the AUX mode, the headset 10 transmits and receives signals to and from a transmission and reception device in a wireless manner, and outputs signals, which are received from the transmission and reception device, into sounds in the portable mode. The use of the portable mode in the headset 10 of the present invention is not different from that of general headsets, and thus a detailed description of the portable mode of the headset 10 is omitted.

[51] A hands-free function of the wireless headset 10 of the present invention, which is performed in the AUX mode, is described with reference to FIG. 7 below. First,

preparation is made such that the headset 10 is placed in the AUX mode by inserting the AUX terminal 13 into the AUX jack 31 of the output device 30.

[52] When a user operates the headset 10 by pressing the On/Off button 18 of the main body 11 after it is determined that a call signal has arrived at the mobile phone 36, a call connection with another specific party, requesting a connection, is established.

[53] Subsequently, audio/video signals, which are transmitted from the mobile phone 36, are received by the headset 10 and then arrive at the output device 30 via the AUX terminal 13. Thereafter, the output device 30 processes the received signals and outputs the processed signals through a speaker/display device. Meanwhile, the audio signals, which are received through the microphone 15, are transmitted to the mobile phone 36 via the interface 17 and are then transmitted through the antenna of the mobile phone 36.

[54] The sound detection level of the microphone 15 is already adjusted to be in a high state through the separation of the speaker 14, and thus transmitted audio signals have a sufficient level. For example, level adjustment can be requested from the microcomputer 21 to the user through voice output if the level of the microphone 15 is still in a low state, as in the portable mode.

[55] A request for a call connection can be made using the headset 10 of the present invention. Accordingly, when the headset 10 enters an On-state, a specific phone number, which is stored in the memory 19, is extracted therefrom through the manipulation of the call button unit 20, and the extracted phone number is transmitted via the mobile phone 36, and thus a call connection with a desired party can be made. When the call connection is made, the headset 10 of the present invention performs the above-described hands-free function.

[56] When the output of audio/video through the output device 30 and the input of audio through the microphone 15 are repeatedly performed, and when the headset 10 enters an OFF state, the use of the Aux mode of the headset 10 is terminated.

[57] Although the hands-free function has been described above with reference to a mobile phone as an example of the transmission and reception device, MP3 signals, AM/FM radio signals, and Digital Multi-Broadcasting (DMB) signals may be output in the same signal transmission and output format, depending on the type of transmission and reception device, as long as it is wirelessly connected with the headset 10 of the present invention.