GB2355893A

GB2355893A - Cordless headset using IR signals

Info

Publication number: GB2355893A
Application number: GB0019094A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gary Rogalski
Original assignee: VTech Communications Ltd
Current assignee: VTech Communications Ltd
Priority date: 1999-08-05
Filing date: 2000-08-03
Publication date: 2001-05-02
Also published as: FR2797366A1; ITTO20000781A1; CA2279685A1; GB0019094D0; IT1320559B1; ITTO20000781A0; DE10038036A1

Abstract

A cordless headset, 100, communicates with a handset, 200, through infra red signals and with the base unit, 300, via a wireless link. The infra red receiver may be mounted facing towards the front of the headset. The handheld controller may contain a keypad and a coding circuit connected to the keypad for driving an infra red LED positioned facing the topside of the controller. The commands corresponding to the infra red signal may be performed by the headset or the base unit.

Description

2355893

TITLE OF THE INVENTION Method and Apparatus for Controlling a Cordless Telephone Headset

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to telephone headsets characterized generally by a microphone and speakers connected to a headband worn by the user suspending the microphone proximate to the user's mouth and the speakers proximate to the user's ears for conducting a telephone conversation. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus for controlling a self-contained cordless telephone headset through which the user can easily see and access the controls toward operating the cordless telephone. 2. Background Art

Cordless telephone devices have become increasingly popular among individuals both at home and in the workplace. Cordless telephones offer the user the freedom to move about and simultaneously place or receive a telephone call without being tethered by a wire to a conventional telephone set. One disadvantage of using either a conventional telephone handset or a cordless telephone handset is the need to continually hold the handset by the hand proximate to the ear and mouth in order to conduct a telephone conversation. During extended telephone conversations, users typically develop fatigue in the hand and are limited in their ability to use their hands while speaking to, for I example, take notes during a telephone call or refer to papers, materials and the like.

One prior art telephone design incorporates a conventional cordless telephone unit comprised of a stationary base unit plugged into a source of external. power as well as the telephone network and a wireless telephone handset which incorporates a keypad for operating a cordless telephone handset. The cordless handset includes a jack into which a headset may be plugged whereby the handset may be carried on the user's belt or otherwise clippedito the user while the headset is worn on the users head. While this design obviously eliminates the cord connecting the handset to the base unit, the headset is still connected to the handset via a cord, a cord in which the user can again easily become entangled. Moreover, the handset is prone to damage since it may become dislodged from the user's belt and drop to the floor when the dangling cord is caught on a passing object. A further prior telephone headset design replaces the cordless telephone handset with a radio-keypad module which provides a cordless communication link to a stationary base unit. The module worn on the user's belt includes all of the electronics necessary including the control keypad itself. This design nevertheless suffers the same disadvantages as a conventional cordless handset. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a telephone headset which requires no cards.

Another prior art telephone headset design provides for a cordless communications link with a base unit with the radio module and keypad'located on theheadset itself. While this design eliminates all cords which could

2 otherwise become entangled, the design has the disadvantage that the user cannot,.see the keypad or status LED's while the telephone is being worn by the user as the keypad resides on the side of the headset, out of the user's range of vision. The telephone headset is therefore difficult to operate, and prone to user errors in dialing and control. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a completely cordless telephone headset that can be easily and accurately operated by a typical user without special training and without requiring that the headset be removed from the user's head to be operated.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the present specifications and drawings.

3 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a completely cordless telephone headset, which can be -easily and reliably operated by a typical user. The headset is worn on the user's head and is controlled by a portable handheld control module. The control module includes a keypad. When the user depresses a key on the keypad while holding the control module is its intended position, the control module emits an infrared signal upwards towards the user's head. The headset receives the infrared signal by an infrared receiver circuit, which circuit is oriented so that signals are detected from in front of and/or below the user. The headset then performs the command corresponding to the infrared signal received, such as dialing-,a telephone number or placing the telephone set on hook.

4 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 of the drawings is a block diagram of the cordless headset system.

Figure 2 of the drawings is a diagram.depicting the use of the cordless, headset and handheld controller by a user, Figure 3 of the drawings is a side angle perspective view of the cordless headset.

Figure 4 of the drawings is a front view of a cordless headset.

Figure 5 of the drawings is a top view of a handheld controller, Figure 6 of the drawings is a schematic block diagram of the handheld controller.

Figure 7 of the. drawings is a schematic block diagram of the cordless headset.

I DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ORAWINGS

While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail herein several specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principle of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to embodiments illustrated.

Figure I depicts one embodiment of the cordless telephone headset system. Cordless headset 100 communicates with base unit 300 via wireless RIF link 102. Base unit 300 is comprised of a cordless telephone base unit, which base units are known in the art. Base unit 300 connects to a telephone line via connection 301 and to a source of external electrical power via line 302. Teleph, one functions of cordless headset 100 are controlled by handheld controller 200. Handheld controller 200 communicates with cordless headset 100 via infrared link 101.

Figure 2 depicts a user utilizing the invention in its typical orientation. For example, when dialing a telephone number, the user wearing headset 100 holds handheld controller 200 out in front of him. As depicted in the headset embodiment of Figures 3 and 4, headset 100 includes two side ear piece housings 112, headband I 11, boom microphone 113, and infrared receiver I 10. The radio modules and other electronics and battery are contained in one or both of ear, piece housings 112, Infrared receiver 110 is oriented in a generally forward-facing direction, such that it may receive infrared signals originating from in front of andlor below the user. In the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4, infrared 6 receiver 110 is positioned along the side of band 111. However, infrared receiver I 10 can alternatively be positioned on any forward and/or downward facing position on the cordless headset without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, infrared receiver 110 may be positioned on ear piece housing 112, at another position along band I 11, or on boom microphone 113. An external top view of handheld controller 200 is illustrated in Figure 5. Handheld controller 200 converts a user's desired commands into infrared signalsq, which are received by the cordless headset infrared receiver 110. Figure 6 displays a schematic block diagram of the handheld controller 200 circuit. A user depresses buttons an keypad 210. Keypad 210 may typically contain numeric dialing buttons, a hook switch button, headset volume controls, and/or buttons for speed dial or any other special functions that may be designed into the telephone. The button depressions are detected by IR driver logic circuitry 220, which then drives infrared LED 230 with a coded signal corresponding to the particular button on keypad 210 that was pressed. The coded infrared signal is then transmitted upwards towards the user's head. Transparent element 240 covers, underlying LED 230. Infrared controllers such as handhe(d controller 200 are kn: own in the art. The configuration of controller 200 and the orientation of infrared transmitter 230 on controller 200 can be varied without departing from the scope of the invention, provided that the direction of infrared transmission is towards the user's head while controller 200 is in a normal usage position. Handheld controller 200 is preferably battery powered.

7 7he infrared signal from controller 200 is detected by infrared receiverldecoder 110 on headset 100 (Figure 7). The detected signal is passed to microcontroller 120. Microcontroller 120 can then act upon the keypad 210 button depression similarly to the way a conventional cordless telephone microcontroller would act upon depression of a button on an 'integrated keypad. For example, commands controlling headset volume would adjust the gain of a headset audio amplifier. Dialing and hookswitch commands may be, in turn, transmitted by transceiver 130, over wireless RF link 102, to base unit 300. Wireless communication between headset 100 and base unit 300 can take place via a data transmission protocol as implemented in existing conventional cordless telephones.

The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, inasmuch as those skilled in the art, having the present disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

8 1 A cordless telephone for use in a telephone communications system comprising: a base unit connected to the telephone service provider network; a handheld controller, which controller transmits infrared signals; a cordless headset, which headset communicates with the base unit via a bi-directional wireless RF communications link, and receives infrared signals transrrtitted by the handheld controller.

2. The cordless telephone of claim 1, in which the cordless headset contains an infrared receiver oriented facing towards the front of the headset.

3. The cordless, telephone of claim 2, in which the handheld controller contains a keypad and an infrared LED positioned facing the topside of the contro0er.

4. The cardless telephone of claim 1, in which the handheld controller contaihs a keypad, an infrared light emitting diode, and a coding circuit I connected to the keypad for driving the infrared light emitting diode in accordance with the depression of a keypad key.

5. The cordless telephone of claim 1, in which the cordless headset includes an infrared receiver, and a microcontroller connected to the infrared receiver for 9 controlling cordless headset operation in accordance with signals received by the infrared receiver.

6. A method for controlling a telephone system comprised of a cordless headset, base unit, and handheld controller, which method includes the followin, g steps:

initiating a command by the controller; transmitting by the controller infrared signals corresponding to the command initiated; -receiving by the headset infrared signals transmitted by the controller; -Performing by the headset and base unit the command corresponding to the infrared signal received.

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