U.S. patent number 7,187,948 [Application Number 10/382,960] was granted by the patent office on 2007-03-06 for personal portable integrator for music player and mobile phone.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Skullcandy, Inc.. Invention is credited to Richard P. Alden.
United States Patent |
7,187,948 |
Alden |
March 6, 2007 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ( Reexamination Certificate
) ** |
Personal portable integrator for music player and mobile phone
Abstract
A personal portable integrator is used to integrate the services
of an arbitrary audio delivery device such as an MP3, CD, DVD,
radio, or other media player, with the services of an arbitrary
two-way communication device such as a mobile phone, or a two-way
radio such as a walkie talkie, citizen band radio (e.g. CB), HAM
radio, marine or aviation radio, and the like. The portable
integrator receives and provides input and output signals from both
the audio delivery device and the two-way communication device,
thereby enabling a user to listen to music or other audio material
and receive and place phone calls on a mobile phone simultaneously.
The portable integrator provides these services by switching
between the audio and communication devices, mixing signals
received therefrom, and optionally enabling a user to reduce the
volume or mute the signals as desired.
Inventors: |
Alden; Richard P. (Park City,
UT) |
Assignee: |
Skullcandy, Inc. (Park City,
UT)
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Family
ID: |
33100921 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/382,960 |
Filed: |
March 6, 2003 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20040198436 A1 |
Oct 7, 2004 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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60370711 |
Apr 9, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M
1/6066 (20130101); H04M 1/6058 (20130101); H04M
1/05 (20130101); H04B 1/3805 (20130101); H04M
2250/02 (20130101); H04M 1/72442 (20210101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04B
1/08 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;455/569.1,575.1,575.2,90.3,557,426.1,556.1,344,347,550.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2 365 692 |
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Feb 2002 |
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GB |
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WO 03/099061 |
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Dec 2003 |
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WO |
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WO 2004/025829 |
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Mar 2004 |
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WO |
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WO 2004/107141 |
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Dec 2004 |
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WO |
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Other References
DRE Communications Inc., 1723- D Little Orchard Street San Jose,
California 95131, product brochure of the DRE-404e, 4-place
Portable Intercom System. cited by examiner .
Autocom, Unit 4, Tachbrook Link, Tachbrook Park Drive, Warwick CV34
6RH England, product brochure of the Active-Rider-Kit 3. cited by
examiner .
Autocom Products Limited, Warwick CV34 6RH United Kingdom,
Pro-Rider-Kit 6 Motorcycle audio control system. cited by examiner
.
Pro 3000 Intercom and Autocom Headsets, MFG: Autocom Products Ltd,
Published Brochure Aug. 7, 1997. cited by examiner .
Alphaomegatele.com, http://www.alphaomegatele.com/product-main.htm,
Jan. 23, 2003, pp. 1-4. cited by other .
Digital Living Today,
http://netscape.digitallivingtoday.com/netscape/digitallifestyles/gizmo/m-
p3.sub.--phonehome/9/18/2002. cited by other .
Amazon.com,
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/wireless/B000056C5H/-
ref=pd.sub.--sbs.sub.--... 9/18/2002, pp. 1-3. cited by other .
Motorola/Verizon Wireless brochure featuring Motorola products,
.COPYRGT. Motorola, Inc. 2002, 6809447A57. cited by other.
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Primary Examiner: Urban; Edward F
Assistant Examiner: Jackson; Blane J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Workman Nydegger
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/370,711 entitled SPLIT STYLE HEADPHONES
filed on Apr. 9, 2002.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A portable and wireless apparatus for wirelessly integrating a
two-way communication device and an audio delivery device, wherein
the portable and wireless apparatus is configured in size and shape
to be portably carried in either a hand of a user or an article of
clothing during use of the portable and wireless apparatus, the
portable and wireless apparatus comprising: means for wirelessly
receiving a first audio signal from a substantially arbitrarily
selectable audio delivery device; means for wirelessly receiving a
second audio signal from a substantially arbitrarily selectable
two-way communication device; a coupling device independent from
the audio and two-way communication devices, wherein the second
audio signal is characterized by a threshold value, the second
audio signal is accorded priority relative to the first audio
signal, and the second audio signal interrupts the first audio
signal upon reaching the threshold value, the coupling device
comprising said means for receiving said first and second audio
signals, said coupling means further comprising: means for
transmitting a third audio signal comprising at least one of the
first or second audio signals to an acoustic device adapted to
convert the third acoustic wave to an audio range corresponding to
a hearing range of a user.
2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for
mixing the first and second audio signals into the third audio
signal and for enabling simultaneous use of said audio and two-way
communications devices.
3. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, further comprising means for
selectably adjusting and controlling a mixing weight of the first
and second audio signals as part of the third audio signal.
Description
BACKGROUND
1. The Field of the Invention
This invention relates to integrating electronic devices and, more
particularly, to novel systems and methods for integrating services
provided by personal music players and mobile phones.
2. The Background Art
The use of mobile telephones and other wireless communication
devices has increased dramatically in recent years. Likewise,
electronic music players, such as MP3, CD, DVD, and like players
have proliferated. Some companies have attempted to integrate music
players and mobile two-way communication devices into single
devices. While integration may reduce the number of devices a user
is required to carry, a user may unnecessarily discard devices that
are still fully functional, incurring unnecessary expense.
With respect to music players and mobile phones, various conflicts
may arise when attempting to operate independent devices
simultaneously. For example, users may listen to portable music
players while exercising, traveling, working, relaxing, and
performing like activities. However, users may desire to
simultaneously place and receive phone calls, activities that may
be inherently difficult to perform while listening to music or
other audio material. For example, a user may be unable to hear a
phone ring while listening to music using headphones, earphones, or
the like. Moreover, if a user is able to accept a call, the user
may be required to remove headphones, reduce the volume of or mute
a music player, pick up a mobile phone handset, or like actions, in
order to accept or place a call. This may be an excessively clumsy
process.
What is needed is apparatus and methods for users to simultaneously
accept and place phone calls using a mobile phone or other
two-communication device while listening to music, or other audio
material using an independent audio delivery device.
What is further needed is apparatus and methods to integrate the
services of substantially any arbitrary two-way communication
device with substantially any arbitrary music or audio delivery
device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A primary object of the present invention is to provide apparatus
and methods for integrating two-way communication devices with
audio delivery devices. An apparatus in accordance with the
invention may include a first electrical connector connected to
receive a first audio signal from a substantially arbitrarily
selectable audio delivery device, such as an MP3, CD, DVD, radio,
or other media player. A second electrical connector may be
connected to receive a second audio signal from a substantially
arbitrarily selectable two-way communication device, such as a
mobile phone, or a two-way radio such as a walkie talkie, citizen
band radio (e.g. CB), HAM radio, marine and aviation radio, and the
like.
A coupling device independent from the audio and two-way
communication devices may be connected to receive the first and
second audio signals. A third audio signal comprising at least one
of the first and second audio signals may be transmitted from the
coupling device to an acoustic device, such as headphones,
earphones, speakers, or the like to convert the third audio signal
to an acoustic wave having an audio range corresponding to a
hearing range of a user.
In certain embodiments, a switch may be connected to the apparatus
to enable a user to selectively switch between the first and second
audio signals to provide the third audio signal to the acoustic
device. In other embodiments, a mixer may be connected to the
apparatus to mix the first and second audio signals to create the
third audio signal.
In selected embodiments, the apparatus may include a microphone
connected to transmit a voice signal of a user to the two-way
communication device. Thus, the two-way communication device may be
located away from the face of the user. The apparatus may also
include a volume controller connected to selectively control the
volume of at least one of the first and second audio signals. In
certain embodiments, the volume controller may control the first
audio signal (e.g. the audio signal originating from the audio
delivery device) so that a user may selectively raise or lower the
volume of the music or other media while receiving or placing a
call.
In selected embodiments, the apparatus may employ electrical wiring
to route the audio signals and the voice signal to and from the
coupling device. A switch, selectively operable by a user, may be
used to connect at least two of the second audio signal wire, the
voice signal wire, and a ground wire, to activate a function of the
two-way communication device. For example, if the two-way
communication device is a mobile phone, the switch may be used to
trigger a function of the mobile phone such as a mute command, a
call connect command, a call disconnect command, voice-activated
dialing, a command to call the last number dialed, and the
like.
The coupling device may contain any or all of the hardware
previously described including but not limited to the microphone,
the switches, the mixer, and the volume controller. In selected
embodiments, the audio signal from the two-way communication device
may be characterized by a threshold value. The second audio signal
may be accorded priority relative to the first audio signal
originating from the audio delivery device. Thus, the second audio
signal may interrupt the first audio signal upon reaching the
threshold value.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The objects and features of the present invention will become more
fully apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings
depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are,
therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the
invention will be described with additional specificity and detail
through use of the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of a personal portable
integrator usable with a music player and a mobile phone;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of one embodiment of a personal portable
integrator having a device-specific link to a two-way communication
device;
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of
connectors that may be used to adapt the invention to a wide
variety of devices;
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of an adapter
that may be used to interface to a specific device;
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of components
contained within a coupling device in accordance with the
invention;
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an alternative embodiment of
components contained within a coupling device in accordance with
the invention;
FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of another alternative
embodiment of components contained within a coupling device in
accordance with the invention; and
FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of a personal
portable integrator usable with a music player and a mobile phone
using wireless technology.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
It will be readily understood that the components of the present
invention, as generally described and illustrated in FIGS. 1
through 8 herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety
of different configurations. Thus, the description herein is not
intended to limit the scope of the invention, but is merely
representative of certain presently preferred embodiments of
devices and systems in accordance with the invention. Those of
ordinary skill in the art will, of course, appreciate that various
modifications to the details herein may easily be made without
departing from the essential characteristics of the invention, as
described. Thus, the following information is intended only by way
of example, and simply illustrates certain presently preferred
embodiments consistent with the invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, a portable integrator 10 for use with a
two-communication device 18, such as a mobile phone 18, and an
audio delivery device 16, such as a portable MP3 player or CD
player, may include electrical connectors 12, 14 to interface with
the devices 16, 18. The electrical connectors 12, 14 may vary
according to the device. For example, an audio device 16 may
require a jack 12 having specific dimensions and with a specified
number of contact points. Likewise, a connector 14 may connect to a
particular communication device 18. The connectors 12, 14 may be
modified as needed to adapt to other devices 16, 18.
The connectors 12, 14 may be adapted to receive and provide signals
13, 15, 17 from the devices 16, 18. For example, the connector 12
may simply receive an audio signal 13 from the audio device 16. The
signal 13 may be a monophonic, stereophonic, or like representation
of an audio signal 13. Likewise, the connector 14 may receive an
audio signal 15 from the communication device 18. In addition, the
connector 14 may provide a voice signal 17, or other input signal
17, to the communication device 18 from a user thereof or other
outside source.
Sheathed flexible wires 20, 22 or other transmission means such as
optical fibers 20,22, or wireless technology such as Bluetooth may
be used to carry the signals 13, 15, 17 to and from the devices 16,
18. In certain embodiments, a reinforcement member 24 may be used
to provide strength at a junction point 24 of the lines 20, 22. The
reinforcement member 24 may also be used to form a transition point
24 where wires 20, 22 may be bundled together beneath a single
protective sheathing 26.
A coupling device 28 may receive and transmit the signals 13, 15,
17 through the path 26. The coupling device 28 may act as a
controller 28 or hub 28 to route the signals 13, 15, 17 to an
acoustic device 30, 32, such as headphones 30, 32, earphones 30,
32, speakers 30, 32, or the like. The coupling device 28 may also
contain a microphone 29, thus providing a hands free set 29, 30,
32, usable with a mobile phone 18. A pair of wires 34, 36 or other
communication paths 34, 36 may connect the coupling device 28 to
the acoustic device 30, 32.
Referring to FIG. 2, as was previously mentioned, devices 16, 18,
such as mobile phones 18, may not use a standardized jack 12, 14.
However, it may be undesirable to provide a separate integrator
device 10 for each variation of devices 12, 14 that may be
available. Therefore, in certain embodiments, a portion 38 of the
portable integrator 10 may be provided as a universal component 38
while another portion 40 may serve as a device-specific component
40. For example, audio devices 16 may use a standardized connector
12 or jack 12.
Therefore, a universal component 38 may adapt to the vast majority
of audio devices 16 that may be available. Conversely, many two-way
communication devices 18, such as mobile phones 18 may not have
standardized connections 14. Therefore, device-specific components
40 may be provided having a standard connection 42 that may
interface with the universal component 38, while another adapter 14
or connector 14 may be specific to the device 18.
In cases where devices 18 may have a varying number of inputs 17
and outputs 15, dead pins, wires (communication paths), and the
like may by used as needed to increase or decrease the number of
inputs 15 or outputs 17 according to specific devices 18. In
addition, a user may only desire to use a single device 16 for a
given period of time and may wish to remove the portion 40 until it
is needed.
Referring to FIG. 3, while continuing to refer generally to FIGS. 1
and 2, adaptability of the integrator device 10 may be provided in
various ways. For example, in certain embodiments, the integrator
device 10 may include an adapter 44 that may provide an interface
44 to each of the devices 12, 18, 28. In selected embodiments, a
connection 20 to an audio device 16 may be swapped with another
connection 20 fitted for another device 16, a connection 22 to a
communication device 18 may be swapped with another connection 22
fitted for another communication device 18, a coupling device 28
and an acoustic device 30,32 may be swapped with other devices 28,
30, 32, and the like. As was previously mentioned, certain portions
26,20, 22 may be added or deleted as needed by the user. The
adapter 44 may use a variety of connectors 42, 46, 48 to connect to
the adapter 44. In certain embodiments, the adapter 44 may
wirelessly communicate with each of the devices 16,18 using a
wireless technology, thereby acting as a wireless communication hub
44.
Referring to FIG. 4, in selected embodiments, adapters 50 may be
provided in accordance with the invention to adapt a portable
integrator 10 to specific devices 18. For example, an adapter 50
may include an interface 52 for interfacing with a connector 14.
Likewise, the adapter 50 may include another interface 54 that may
connect directly to a device 18 at an input 56. In addition, other
features may be built into the adapter 50 such as impedance
matching, signal amplification, and the like.
Referring to FIG. 5, in certain embodiments, the coupling device 28
may include a switch 58 to selectively enable a user to connect one
of the signals 13, 15 through to the output 60. For example, a user
may listen to an audio recording or live transmission from an audio
device 16 with the switch 58 in a first position 62. If the user
receives or desires to place a call, the switch 58 may be changed
to a second position 64 to connect the communication device 18
through to the output 60. The switch 58 may include a button 63 or
like mechanism 63 to enable a user operation thereof. Thus, the
signal 13 from the audio device 16 may be conveniently and
selectively disconnected while the user operates the communication
device 18. In this way, simple operation of a switch 58 may enable
a user to operate an audio delivery device 16 and a communication
device 18 through a single acoustic device 30, 32.
The coupling device 28 may also include a microphone 29 to transmit
a voice or other audio signal 17 back to the communication device
18. The coupling device 28 may contain one or several apertures to
permit an acoustic wave to directly enter and drive the microphone
29. In certain embodiments, the coupling device 28 may be located,
such as by clipping, proximate the face of a user so that the
switch 58, microphone 29, and other controls located therein, may
be easily accessed and used by a user. Likewise, the communication
device 18 and audio device 16 may be located away from the user's
face, clipped along a belt line, in a pocket, in a bag, or the
like.
Referring to FIG. 6, in certain embodiments, the coupling device 28
may include a mixer 66 to mix the audio signals 13, 15 originating
from the audio and communication devices 16,18. Thus, the audio
signals 13, 15 may be heard simultaneously by a user through an
acoustic device 30, 32. In certain instances, a ring or other sound
may indicate a call is being received by the communication device
18 and may by audible over the sound of the music or other media
through the acoustic device 30, 32. In this case, the audio signal
13 from the audio device 16 may be muted or disconnected by a user
with a switch 58 while the user receives or places a call. Once the
call is finished, the user may once again trigger the switch to
begin listening to music or other audible media. Thus, a user may
simultaneously hear and monitor both devices 16, 18 through a
single acoustic device 30, 32 and may mute or disconnect at least
one of the devices 16, 18 when needed.
In certain embodiments, the coupling device 28 may also include a
switch 68 or other control device 68 to control features of the
communication device 18, the audio device 16, or a combination
thereof. For example, a switch 68 may connect inputs 17 or outputs
15 of the communication device 18 together, connect them to a
ground 70, provide control signals to the device 18, or the like,
to control features of the communication device 18. For example, a
switch 68 or control device 68 may control features of the
communication device 18 such as performing a mute command, a call
connect command, a call disconnect command, voice-activated
dialing, a command to call the last number dialed, or like
features. The features activated may vary from device 18 to device
18 and may depend on the device engineering and configuration.
Referring to FIG. 7, in selected embodiments, the coupling device
28 may include a volume controller 72 to control the volume of at
least one of the audio signals 13, 15 from the audio device 16 and
the communication device 18. For example, as in the previous
example, a mixer 66 may provide that audio signals 13, 15 be heard
simultaneously by a user through an acoustic device 30, 32. When a
call is received or placed on the communication device 18, a user
may adjust the volume of the audio signal 13 using the volume
controller 72. If desired, the user may adjust the volume such that
music or audio material is still heard in the background while
receiving or placing a call. Once a call is finished, a user may
readjust the volume to a desired level. Thus, a user may
simultaneously hear and monitor both devices through a single
acoustic device 30, 32, and may adjust the volume of at least one
of the devices 16, 18 when desired.
Referring to FIG. 8, in certain embodiments, a coupling device 28
may be divided into a pair of components 28a, 28b that wirelessly
communicate with one another using a technology such us Bluetooth.
For example, a first component 28a may include a transceiver 76
receptive to the signals 13, 15, 17 from the audio and
communication devices 16, 18. The transceiver 76 may convert these
signals to wirelessly transmittable frequencies 80 using an
appropriate wireless protocol such that they may be transmitted to
a peer transceiver 78. The transceiver 78 may then convert the
frequencies 80 back to signals 13, 15, 17, where they may be
processed by the coupling device 28b in accordance with a process
like those described in FIGS. 5 through 7.
One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the wireless
technology described in FIG. 8 may be used in a wide variety of
different configurations and the example presented herein is not
intended to limit the scope or the invention. For example, in
certain embodiments, portions or all of the circuitry 29, 66, 72 or
components 29, 66, 72 may be located in the housing 28a. In other
embodiments, each of the devices 16, 18, may communicate wirelessly
with the coupling device 28, 28a or 28b.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms
without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The
described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as
illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,
therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the
foregoing description. All changes within the meaning and range of
equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their
scope.
* * * * *
References