U.S. patent application number 10/823345 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-30 for communications headset.
Invention is credited to Bogeskov-Jensen, Tom, Larsen, Jan.
Application Number | 20040190744 10/823345 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24863877 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040190744 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bogeskov-Jensen, Tom ; et
al. |
September 30, 2004 |
Communications headset
Abstract
A communications headset is disclosed which includes a
lightweight ear support and a transducer assembly. The transducer
assembly is connected to the ear support by a resilient clip.
Inventors: |
Bogeskov-Jensen, Tom;
(Stangerup, DK) ; Larsen, Jan; (Smoerum,
DK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STALLMAN & POLLOCK LLP
SUITE 2200
353 SACRAMENTO STREET
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94111
US
|
Family ID: |
24863877 |
Appl. No.: |
10/823345 |
Filed: |
April 12, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10823345 |
Apr 12, 2004 |
|
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|
09712867 |
Nov 15, 2000 |
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6760458 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
381/374 ;
381/370 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/05 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
381/374 ;
381/370 |
International
Class: |
H04R 025/00; H04M
001/00; H04B 001/38 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A headset comprising: a support member for attachment to an ear
of a user; a speaker transducer that outputs sound in response to a
sound signal; and a deformable clip connected to the transducer and
configured to permit attachment of the transducer to the support
member.
2. A headset as recited in claim 1, wherein said clip is formed
with a U-shaped section located between a pair of opposed legs and
wherein the support member is clamped between said opposed
legs.
3. A headset as recited in claim 1, wherein said support member is
substantially planar.
4. A headset as recited in claim 3, wherein said support member is
formed from a flexible material.
5. A headset as recited in claim 4, wherein said support member
includes curved slot to allow the support member to be hung from
the ear of the user.
6. A headset as recited in claim 1, further including a microphone
transducer that outputs a speech signal in response to sound, said
microphone transducer being connected to said clip.
7. A headset comprising: a substantially planar support member for
attachment to an ear of a user; and a body including a speaker
transducer that outputs sound in response to a sound signal and a
microphone transducer that outputs a speech signal in response to
sound, said body further including a deformable clip, said body
being connected to the support member by said clip.
8. A headset as recited in claim 7, wherein said support member is
flexible and includes a curved slot to allow the support to be hung
from the ear of the user.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/712,867, filed Nov. 15, 2000, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention.
[0003] The present invention relates to headsets and, more
particularly, to a headset and method of manufacturing headsets
that utilize a single transceiver form-factor design with a number
of different housing styles.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art.
[0005] A headset is a device that, when worn by a user, positions a
speaker next to the user's ear and a microphone next to the user's
mouth. The headset, which allows hands-free operation, is commonly
worn by telephone operators and is increasingly being worn by
personal computer users for telephony over the internet, gaming,
and speech recognition. In addition, more and more cell phone users
are utilizing headsets.
[0006] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view that illustrates a prior-art
headset 100. As shown in FIG. 1, headset 100 has an elongated
support member 110, a speaker 112 which is connected to one end of
support member 110, and a microphone 114 which is connected to the
opposite end of support member 110.
[0007] Further, headset 100 has a positioning member 116 that is
connected to support member 110. Positioning member 116, which is
designed to be worn over the ear, has a first section that is
connected to member 110, a second angled section that is connected
to the first section, and an arcuate-shaped third section that is
connected to the second section.
[0008] In addition to the ear-type headset shown in FIG. 1,
headsets are also commonly available that use a headband to hold
the support member, and thereby the speaker and microphone, in
place. With a headband support member, the speaker is placed over
one ear with the headband extending over and contacting the head
with a padded end that the rests above the opposite ear.
[0009] Another common type of headset, sometimes referred to as
soap-on-a-rope, utilizes a speaker which is placed in or next to
the ear, and a microphone which is located somewhere on the wire
that connects the speaker to a telephone or computer. Although this
soap-on-a-rope type headset is very compact and easy to transport,
the location of the microphone, which is often clipped to the
user's clothing, is susceptible to excessive background noise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention provides a method of manufacturing
headsets that utilizes a single transceiver form-factor design with
a number of housing styles. By utilizing a single transceiver
form-factor with a number of housing styles, development costs,
manufacturing costs, and time to market are reduced while at the
same time providing a wider variety of choices to the consumer. In
addition, after buying the first headset, the consumer can purchase
additional housings without purchasing additional transceivers as
the transceiver from the first headset can be used in whatever
housing the consumer desires to wear.
[0011] The method of the present invention includes the step of
forming a plurality of substantially identical transceivers. Each
transceiver has a body, a speaker transducer connected to the body
that outputs sound in response to a sound signal, and a microphone
transducer connected to the body that outputs an electrical speech
signal in response to input sound. The method also includes the
step of forming a number of housings with different housing styles.
The method further includes the step of attaching the substantially
identical transceivers to the housings so that transceivers are
attached to different housing styles. This, in turn, allows
different headsets to be built with different outer shapes, all
using the same transceiver design.
[0012] The method of the present invention may also include the
steps of displaying the housing styles to a user population, and
receiving an order from a user. The order identifies a style of
housing selected by the user.
[0013] The method of the present invention produces a collection of
headsets that include a number of first and second housings. The
first and second housings each have an inner cavity. The collection
of headsets also includes a number of substantially-identical
transceivers. The transceivers are positioned within the inner
cavity of each first housing and the inner cavity of each second
housing.
[0014] A better understanding of the features and advantages of the
present invention will be obtained by reference to the following
detailed description and accompanying drawings that set forth an
illustrative embodiment in which the principles of the invention
are utilized.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a prior-art
headset 100.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method 200 for
manufacturing headsets in accordance with the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a transceiver 300 in
accordance with the present invention.
[0018] FIGS. 4A and 4B are opposing perspective views of a
transceiver 400 illustrating a first example of a form factor in
accordance with the present invention.
[0019] FIGS. 5A and 5B are opposing perspective views of a
transceiver 500 illustrating a second example of a form factor in
accordance with the present invention.
[0020] FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of a housing 600
illustrating a first example of a housing style in accordance with
the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a housing 700 illustrating a
second example of a housing style in accordance with the present
invention.
[0022] FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views of a housing 800
illustrating a third example of a housing style in accordance with
the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a housing 900 illustrating a
fourth example of a housing style in accordance with the present
invention.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a housing 1000 illustrating
a fifth example of a housing style in accordance with the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a first retaining
structure 1100 in accordance with the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a second
retaining structure 1200 in accordance with the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating a third retaining
structure 1300 in accordance with the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a headset 1400 illustrating
the use of retaining structure (clip) 1300 in accordance with the
present invention.
[0029] FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating a method 1500 for
manufacturing headsets in accordance with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] FIG. 2 shows a flow chart that illustrates a method 200 for
manufacturing headsets in accordance with the present invention. As
shown in FIG. 2, method 200 includes step 210 where a number of
transceivers with an identical form factor are produced.
(Transceivers that are intended to have the same form factor but
have slight variations due to manufacturing tolerances are
considered to be identical.)
[0031] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram that illustrates a transceiver
300 in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3,
transceiver 300 includes a speaker transducer 310 that outputs
sound in response to a received sound signal SS1, and a microphone
transducer 312 that outputs an electrical speech signal SS2 in
response to received (input) sound.
[0032] In addition, as shown by dashed lines L1 and L2, transceiver
300 can optionally include a signal-processing circuit 314 that is
connected to the speaker and microphone transducers 310 and 312.
Signal-processing circuit 314 can perform all or a portion of the
signal processing that is required to interface transducers 310 and
312 with a communication device (not shown), such as a telephone or
a computer. Signal processing circuit 314 can also perform other
functions such as filtering, limiting, and echo canceling.
[0033] Further, as shown by dashed lines L3 and L4, transceiver 300
can optionally include a wireless transmission and reception
circuit 316 that is connected to signal processing circuit 314.
Wireless transmission and reception circuit 316 transmits processed
or partially processed signals from signal processing circuit 314
to the communication device, and transmits compatible signals from
the communication device to signal processing circuit 314, without
the use of a connecting wire. In addition, as shown by dashed lines
L5 and L6, speaker transducer 310 and microphone transducer 312 can
optionally be connected directly to wireless transmission and
reception circuit 316.
[0034] As noted above, the transceivers are produced to have a
single form factor. Although the transceivers are produced to have
a single form factor, the form factor can have any shape, such as
an elongated shape, a circular shape, a square shape, or a flat
laminated shape such as the shape of a shark's fin.
[0035] FIGS. 4A and 4B show opposing perspective views of a
transceiver 400 that illustrates a first example of a form factor
in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 4A and
4B, transceiver 400 has an elongate body 410 with a first end and a
second end. In addition, transceiver 400 also has a member 412,
which accommodates a speaker transducer, that is connected to the
first end of the elongate body, and a projection 414, which
accommodates a microphone transducer, that is connected to the
second end of elongate body 410.
[0036] Elongate body 410 of transceiver 400 can be flexible or
rigid such that a position of the speaker transducer with respect
to the microphone transducer is changeable or fixed, respectively.
In addition, when the transceiver does not have a wireless
transmission and reception circuit, an external wire 416 is
connected to transceiver 400 to provide a connection to the
communication device (not shown).
[0037] FIGS. 5A and 5B show opposing perspective views of a
transceiver 500 that illustrates a second example of a form factor
in accordance with the present invention. Transceiver 500 is
similar to transceiver 400 and, as a result, utilizes the same
reference numerals to designate the structures that are common to
both transceivers.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, transceiver 500 differs from
transceiver 400 in that transceiver 500 has a projection 514 that
accommodates a microphone transducer. Unlike projection 414 that
extends from the side of transceiver 400, projection 514 extends
from the end of transceiver 500 along the longitudinal axis of
transceiver 500.
[0039] In addition to the above, rather than using a number of
transceivers with a single form factor, a number of receivers with
the same form factor can alternately be used.
[0040] Returning to FIG. 2, method 200 also includes step 212 where
a number of housings with different styles are produced. (Steps 210
and 212 can be performed in any order, or at the same time.)
Although the housing styles are different, each housing is designed
to operate with the transducer of the present invention.
[0041] FIGS. 6A and 6B show opposing perspective views of a housing
600 that illustrates a first example of a housing style in
accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B,
housing 600 is a two-piece structure with a first half 610 that has
an inner side 612 and a second half 614 that has an inner side
616.
[0042] When first and second halves 610 and 614 are connected
together, housing 600 has an elongate body with a first end and a
second end. In addition, inner sides 612 and 616 define an inner
cavity 618 that has a number of openings 620 at the first end and
an opening 622 at the second end.
[0043] Inner cavity 618 receives a transceiver, such as transceiver
400 or 500, while openings 620 allow sound from the speaker
transducer to pass out to the external world. Opening 622, in turn,
directs sounds to the microphone transducer of the transceiver.
Further, any of a number of structures, such as ear piece 624, can
be connected to housing. 600 to position housing 600 next to the
ear of a user.
[0044] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a housing 700 that
illustrates a second example of a housing style in accordance with
the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, housing 700 is also a
two-piece structure with a first half 710 that has an inner side
712 and an outer side 714, and a second half 716 that has an inner
side 718.
[0045] When first and second halves 710 and 716 are connected
together, housing 700 has an elongate body with a first end and a
second end that is shorter than the elongate body of housing 600.
In addition, inner sides 712 and 718 define an inner cavity 720
that has a number of openings 722 at the first end and an opening
724 in outer side 714 at the second end of first half 710.
[0046] Inner cavity 720 receives a transceiver, such as transceiver
400 or 500, while openings 722 allow sound from the speaker
transducer to pass out to the external world. Opening 724, in turn,
directs sounds to the microphone transducer of the transceiver.
Further, any of a number of structures, such as ear piece 726, can
be connected to housing 700 to position housing 700 next to the ear
of a user.
[0047] FIGS. 8A and 8B show opposing perspective views of a housing
800 that illustrates a third example of a housing style in
accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B,
housing 800 is a two-piece structure with a first half 810 that has
an inner side 812 and a second half 814 that has an inner side
816.
[0048] When first and second halves 810 and 814 are connected
together, housing 800 has a circular body. In addition, inner sides
812 and 816 define an inner cavity 818 that has a number of
openings 820 at the center of the body and an opening 822 in the
side wall.
[0049] Inner cavity 818 receives a transceiver, such as transceiver
400 or 500, while openings 820 allow sound from the speaker
transducer to pass out to the external world. Opening 822, in turn,
directs sounds to the microphone transducer of the transceiver. In
addition, housing 800 optionally includes a hollow sound conducting
tube 824 that is connected to opening 822 to direct sounds to the
microphone transducer. Optionally, sound conducting tube 824 can be
directly connected to the transceiver. Further, any of a number of
structures, such as head band 826, can be used to position housing
800 next to the ear of a user.
[0050] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a housing 900 that
illustrates a fourth example of a housing style in accordance with
the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, housing 900 has a
flexible, multi-layer laminate body 910. In addition, housing 900
has a cutout 912, an inner cavity 914, a first opening 916, and a
number of second openings 918. Cutout 912 allows housing 900 to be
hung from the ear of a user, while inner cavity 914 receives a
transceiver, such as transceiver 400 or 500. Further, first opening
916 exposes the microphone transducer of the transceiver to
external sounds, while second openings 918 expose the speaker
transducer to the external world.
[0051] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a housing 1000 that
illustrates a fifth example of a housing style in accordance with
the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, housing 1000 has a
flexible, single-layer laminate body 1010 with a cutout 1012 that
allows housing 1000 to be hung from the ear of a user.
[0052] Although five examples of housing styles have been
discussed, the housings of the present invention are not limited to
these five styles and may have, as noted above, any style. In
addition, the housings can be partially or completely formed from a
material that can be cut with a pair of scissors so that the user
can cut the outer sides of the housing into whatever shape is
desired. The material of the housings can include, for example,
foamed plastic, thin films, fabrics, or rubber. When the material
is penetratable, no sound holes are needed in the housings.
Further, in addition to housings 900 and 1000, housings 600, 700,
and 800 can also have a cut out that allows these housings to hang
from the ear of a user.
[0053] Returning to FIG. 2, method 200 also includes step 214 where
the transceivers are attached to the housings having the different
housing styles. A number of different retaining structures can be
used to attach the transceivers to the housings. FIG. 11 shows a
perspective view that illustrates a first retaining structure 1100
in accordance with the present invention.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 11, first retaining structure 1100 includes
a number of side walls 1110 that are connected to the inner side
1112 of a housing, such as inner side 612, 712, or 812. (Side walls
1110 need not be connected together as shown in FIG. 11.) Side
walls 1110 have a height H such that when the housing is assembled,
the side walls 1110 contact or nearly contact the opposing inner
side of the housing. In the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, side walls 1110 are integrally formed with the housings.
(Partial in register side walls can optionally be formed on the
inner sides of both halves of a housing.)
[0055] In this example, a transceiver is attached to the housing by
inserting the transceiver into a region 1114 defined by side walls
1110. After this, the first and second halves of the housing, such
as halves 610/614, 710/716, or 810/814, are connected together such
that the inner sides of the housings along with side walls 1110
keep the transceiver in place.
[0056] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view that illustrates a second
retaining structure 1200 in accordance with the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 12, second retaining structure 1200 includes an
end wall 1210, three side walls 1212 and a partial side wall 1214.
Extending away from partial side wall 1214 in the same plane as
partial side wall 1214 is a flexible member 1216 with a retaining
clasp 1218. Further, a microphone opening 1220 and a number of
speaker openings 1222 are formed in the side walls. In the
preferred embodiment of the present invention, retaining structure
1200 is integrally formed with the housings such that at least one
of the walls is in common with the inner side of a housing.
[0057] In this example, a transceiver is attached to the housing by
pushing flexible member 1216 away from the opposing side wall,
sliding the transceiver into retaining structure 1200, and then
releasing flexible member 1216. When flexible member 1216 is
released, it returns to its original position. In its original
position, retaining clasp 1218 of flexible member 1216 retains the
transceiver within structure 1200.
[0058] The advantage of retaining structure 1200 is that the
transceivers can be easily inserted; either during the
manufacturing process or by the user themselves. In addition,
retaining structure 1200 gives the user the ability to switch a
single transceiver among a number of housing styles. For example, a
user may have a number of housing styles and a single transceiver.
The user then has the ability to place the transceiver in the
preferred housing, switch styles by switching housings whenever the
mood occurs or buy new a housing.
[0059] FIG. 13 shows a side view that illustrates a third retaining
structure 1300 in accordance with the present invention. As shown
in FIG. 13, retaining structure 1300 is a clip with first and
second legs 1310 and 1312 that are connected together via a
U-shaped section 1314. Structure 1300, which utilizes a deformable
material, is formed so that first leg 1310 contacts and exerts a
force against second leg 1312.
[0060] In this example, a transceiver is attached to the housing by
connecting retaining structure (clip) 1300 to a transceiver, such
as transceiver 400 or 500. After this, legs 1310 and 1312 are
spaced apart and the housing is inserted between legs 1310 and
1312. Once the housing has been inserted, the legs are released.
The legs, in turn, try to return to their original position,
thereby clamping the housing between the legs. Structure 1300
offers many of the same advantages as structure 1200 in that a user
can switch the transceiver among a number of different housing
styles.
[0061] FIG. 14, shows a perspective view of a headset 1400 that
illustrates the use of retaining structure (clip) 1300 in
accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 14, headset
1400 includes retaining structure 1300, transceiver 500 which is
attached to structure 1300, and housing 1000 which is clamped by
structure 1300.
[0062] Alternately, rather than using retaining structures 1100,
1200, or 1300, the transceivers can be permanently affixed to the
housings. The transceivers can be permanently affixed using glue or
other well-known adhesives. In addition, the clip can be part of
the transceiver (or receiver if only a receiver is used), or part
of the housing.
[0063] Thus, method 200 forms a plurality of housing styles with
different shapes that each utilize the same transceiver form
factor. By utilizing a single transceiver form-factor with a number
of housing styles, development costs, manufacturing costs, and time
to market are reduced while at the same time providing a wider
variety of choices to the consumer.
[0064] In addition to providing the user with a wider variety of
housing styles, the present invention also allows the end user to
view the available styles, and order the desired style. As shown by
dashed line 2A in FIG. 2, method 200 can include step 216 where a
number of housings with different housing styles are displayed to a
user population. The housing styles can be displayed to the user
population, for example, by utilizing a web page, a catalog, or in
a traditional retail setting. In addition, method 200 includes step
218 where orders are received from the users.
[0065] The orders, in turn, identify the housing styles (and
quantity) selected by the users. The orders can be received, for
example, by using an interactive web page, a paper form, or in
person at a retail store. Once the order is received, delivery is
arranged. In a retail setting, stock on hand is sold.
[0066] In accordance with the present invention, rather than
displaying the housings to the user population after the headsets
have been assembled, some of the manufacturing steps can be delayed
until after orders are received for the headsets.
[0067] FIG. 15 shows a flow chart that illustrates a method 1500
for manufacturing headsets in accordance with the present
invention. Method 1500 is similar to method 200 and, as a result,
utilizes the same reference numerals to designate the steps that
are common to both methods.
[0068] As shown in FIG. 15, method 1500 is the same as method 200
up through step 212 (the formation of the housing styles), and
diverges from method 200 at the next step, step 1514, where the
number of housing styles are displayed to a user population. As in
method 200, the housing styles can be displayed to the user
population by utilizing a web page, a catalog, or a retail setting.
In addition, method 1500 includes step 1516 where orders are
received from the users. The orders, in turn, identify the housing
styles (and quantity) selected by the users. The orders can be
received, for example, by using an interactive web page, a paper
form, or in person at a retail shop.
[0069] Next, method 1500 moves to step 1520 where method 1500
determines if assembly is to be performed by the user. If assembly
is to be performed by the user, method 1500 moves to step 1522
where the user is provided with either a selected housing (if only
a housing was purchased) or both a selected housing and a
transceiver (if both a housing and a transceiver were purchased).
If the user receives both the selected housing and a transceiver,
the user assembles the headset by attaching the transceiver to the
housing.
[0070] If assembly is not to be performed by the user, method 1500
moves to step 1524 where transceivers are attached to the housings
based on the orders received during a previous time period. For
example, every two weeks transceivers could be attached to the
ordered housings to form completed headsets to satisfy the orders
received during the previous two weeks. By attaching transceivers
on an as-ordered basis, the costs to assemble the headsets can be
more related to the headsets that are being sold. By allowing the
user to finish the final assembly, the costs to assemble the
headsets can be largely eliminated.
[0071] In addition to selecting a housing style, the user can also
select or provide an example of an ornamentation to be formed on
the selected housing. The ornamentation can include, for example, a
logo, a trademark, a picture, or any design. Alternately,
self-printable labels can be included with each housing sold so
that the user can design their own ornamentation. Payment for the
order can be received either prior to accepting the order, or
following shipment of the order.
[0072] In addition, sample headsets can be displayed to the user
population with some or none of the headset components being
manufactured until some time after orders for the headsets have
been received. For example, every two weeks headsets could be
manufactured to satisfy the orders received during the previous two
weeks.
[0073] It should be understood that various alternatives to the
embodiment of the invention described herein may be employed in
practicing the invention. Thus, it is intended that the following
claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and
structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents
be covered thereby.
* * * * *