WO2009072684A1

WO2009072684A1 - A wireless headset system capable of transmitting audio signal between multiple devices and a controlling method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2009072684A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/006300
Authority: WO
Inventors: Phil Jong Yu
Original assignee: Phil Jong Yu
Priority date: 2007-12-06
Filing date: 2007-12-06
Publication date: 2009-06-11
Also published as: KR20090077643A

Abstract

A wireless headset system capable of outputting a stereo audio signal to a number of headsets from a single audio device without installing a cable between left and right earpieces and a method of controlling the same are provided. The method includes: scanning available fre¬ quencies using a scan unit included in the earpiece or an RF transmitter and establishing one of the scanned frequencies as a usable frequency; transmitting information on the usable frequency to the earpiece or the RF transmitter using a wireless transceiver included in the RF transmitter and the earpiece; and receiving an audio signal using an RF receiving unit of the earpiece through the usable frequency and outputting a sound so as to allow the audio signal to be transmitted between multiple devices.

Description

A WIRELESS HEADSET SYSTEM CAPABLE OF

TRANSMITTING AUDIO SIGNAL BETWEEN MULTIPLE

DEVICES AND A CONTROLLING METHOD THEREOF

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a headset system capable of wirelessly hearing sound from an audio device and a method of controlling the same, and more particularly, to a headset system including pair of wireless left and right earpieces for wirelessly outputting an audio signal of an audio device such as a compact disc (CD) player or a MP3 player to allow an audio signal of a single audio device to be simultaneously received and heard by a number of people as mono or stereo sound, and a method of controlling the same. Background Art

[2] Typically, a headset is known as a device installed in a human head to output an audio signal from an audio device to user's ears. Such a headset includes a cable connected to an audio device, a fixation structure that can be fixed to a user's head, a pair of left and right earpieces each having a loudspeaker for outputting the audio signal, and a cable connected between the pair of earpieces.

[3] Recently, as a wireless communication technology advances, in order to address inconvenience of the cable connected to the audio device, a wireless headset capable of wirelessly receiving and outputting an audio signal using Bluetooth or Dongle without connecting the cable to the audio device is widely used.

[4] On the other hand, while a cable was connected between a pair of left and right earpieces of the wireless headset in order to output a stereo audio signal, such a cable between the earpieces also generates inconvenience during its use.

[5] In order to address such a problem, Korean Patent Application Laid-open No.

2005-84096 discloses a stereo signal communication system and a method using the same, by which stereo sound can be output without any cable connected between the earpieces by transmitting first and second audio signals to first and second earpieces, respectively, using a Bluetooth transceiver.

[6] However, according to the Bluetooth scheme, since the audio signal is transmitted on a one-to-one basis in principle, the transmitter connected to the audio device should include two Bluetooth modules for transmitting the left and right audio signals in order to transmit the respective audio signal to both earpieces that are not connected with a cable to output stereo sound. This causes an increase in manufacturing cost.

[7] Since Bluetooth has been designed to operate only in a range of 10m or less, it has an intrinsic limitation that it cannot operate in a remote distance from the audio device.

[8] Also, when an audio signal or audio information is to be provided to a number of users using wireless headsets from a single audio device in, for example, a museum, a concert theatre, a bus, a ship, or the like, the audio device or the transmitter should include Bluetooth modules as many as the number of receiving headsets according to the Bluetooth scheme (if stereo sound is to be output, the number of headsets may be doubled). Accordingly, the Bluetooth scheme is difficult to be used in practice in a wireless headset for transmitting the audio signal between multiple devices (i.e., in a one-vs-all (OVA) manner). Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[9] The present invention is contrived to address the aforementioned prior problems, and provides a headset system capable of outputting a stereo sound without installing a cable between a pair of left and right earpieces, providing free bidirectional control between a single audio device and a number of headsets (i.e., in a one-vs-all (OVA) manner), and remarkably reducing production cost in comparison with the Bluetooth scheme. Technical Solution

[10] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless headset system including: a radio-frequency(RF) transmitter provided in an audio device, the RF transmitter having a scan unit which scans available frequencies in a user's environment and establishes one of the available frequencies as a usable frequency, an RF signal transmitting unit which converts an audio signal of an audio device into an RF signal to be carried on the established frequency, an input unit that can be operated by a user, a first wireless transceiver which wirelessly transmits/receives a control signal, and a first control unit for controlling the scan unit, the RF signal transmitting unit, the input unit, and the first wireless transceiver; and at least a headset having a pair of left and right earpieces, each having an RF signal receiving unit which receives the RF signal, a second wireless transceiver that can exchange a control signal with the first wireless transceiver, a loudspeaker which outputs the received RF signal as sound, a second control unit which controls the RF signal receiving unit, the second wireless transceiver, and the loudspeaker, and a fixation unit fixed to a user's ear, wherein, when the audio signal is transmitted on the frequency established by the RF transmitter, the audio signal is received on the established frequency and output by the headset so as to allow the audio signal to be transmitted between multiple devices.

[11] In the headset system according to the present invention, any available frequency is searched in the user's environment, the audio signal of the audio device is converted into an RF signal, the RF signal is transmitted, and each earpiece receives the audio signal transmitted through the air and outputs it as sound. Therefore, the audio signal can be transmitted to a number of headsets located in an area where the audio signal can be reached using a single chip provided in the RF transmitter. In other words, the mono or stereo audio signal can be very conveniently transmitted in a one-vs-all (OVA) manner without a number of chips provided in the transmitter unlike the Bluetooth scheme.

[12] In addition, the headset system according to the present invention includes a wireless transceiver capable of transmitting/receiving a control signal between earpieces of the headset and the RF transmitter, so that bilateral control can be achieved between RF devices.

[13] While any RF signal that can be used to carry an audio signal may be used in any frequency band, an FM signal is most preferably from the viewpoint of an available area or cost.

[14] Also, the earpiece may include an input unit that can be operated by a user. Using the input device as well as the wireless transceiver included in each earpiece, the RF transmitter can be controlled by each earpiece.

[15] Also, the scan unit is configured to scan a predetermined number of frequencies in a user's environment and store them. When an identical frequency is used by a number of RF transmitters, one of the RF transmitters may scan a predetermined number of frequencies that are not used by other RF transmitters in response to input of a particular user, and one of the scanned frequencies may be used. As a result, even when a number of users are overlappingly located in an RF signal transmission area, there may be no problem in transmission.

[16] Also, at least one of the left and right earpieces includes a Bluetooth module for allowing for wireless communication with a mobile phone. A control unit included in the RF transmitter allows for switching between receiving an RF signal including an audio signal and receiving a voice signal of a mobile phone.

[17] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a wireless headset system including a radio-frequency (RF) transmitter which transmits an audio signal of an audio device and at least a headset having a pair of left and right earpieces which receives a transmitted RF signal, the method including: scanning available frequencies using a scan unit included in the earpiece or the RF transmitter and establishing one of the scanned frequencies as a usable frequency; transmitting information on the usable frequency to the earpiece or the RF transmitter using a wireless transceiver included in the RF transmitter and the earpiece; and receiving an audio signal using the RF receiving unit of the earpiece through the usable frequency and outputting the audio signal so as to allow the audio signal to be transmitted between multiple devices. The RF signal is preferably an FM signal. Meanwhile, in the above method, available frequencies may be scanned using a scanner included in the earpiece, or the scanned information may be transmitted to the RF transmitter.

Advantageous Effects

[18] The headset system according to the present invention uses an RF signal transmitted to a number of devices. Therefore, an audio signal can be provided to a number of wireless headsets using a single RF transmitter having a single control chip, and its usable area can be enlarged.

[19] Also, while the headset system according to the present invention provides a function equivalent to an existing Bluetooth scheme, (i.e., stereo sound can be output between the left and right earpieces that are not connected with a cable, and a number of headsets can be simultaneously used for a single audio device), it is possible to reduce a manufacturing cost to 1/3 or 1/4 in comparison with the existing wireless headset. Brief Description of Drawings

[20] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless headset system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[21] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a wireless headset system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[22] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an earpiece of the wireless headset system according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[23] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a wireless headset system according to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes a single transmitter and a number of earpieces. Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention

[24] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[25] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless headset system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a wireless headset system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an earpiece of the wireless headset system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[26] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the wireless headset system according to the present invention generally includes: a transmitter 10 detachably installed in the audio device for generating an audio signal, such as a compact disc (CD) player, an MP3 player, a portable media player (PMP), a television set, and a mobile phone; and first and second earpieces 20 and 30 that are attached to left and right sides of both ears of a user to receive an FM signal output from the transmitter 10 and output them as sound.

[27] As shown in FIG. 1, the transmitter 10 includes: an FM signal transmitter 11 which converts the audio signal of the audio device into an FM signal and transmits it; a scanner 12 which scans unoccupied frequencies in a user's environment; an input device 14 which receives an input signal from a keypad 16 provided outside the transmitter 10 as shown in FIG. 2; a first wireless transceiver 15 which provides bidirectional communication with the first and second earpieces 20 and 30; and a microcomputer 13 which is a control unit for controlling these devices. In this example, model No. nRF24L01 capable of one-vs-all (OVA) communication may used as the first wireless transceiver 15, and an 8-bit microcomputer may be used as the microcomputer 13.

[28] As shown in FIG. 3, the first earpiece 20 includes a fixation clip 26 fixed to a user's left ear and a keypad 27. As shown in FIG. 1, the first earpiece 20 internally includes: a first FM receiver 21 which receives the FM signal transmitted from the FM signal transmitter 11 through an antenna and separates the FM signal into a stereo signal; an input device 23 which receives a user's input signal through a keypad 27; a second wireless transceiver 24 which allows for bidirectional communication with the transmitter 10 and the second earpiece 30; and a microcomputer 22 used as a control unit for controlling these devices. The same models as those of the transmitter 10 are used for the microcomputer 22 and the second wireless transceiver 24.

[29] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second earpiece 30 includes a fixation clip 36 fixed to a user's right ear and a keypad 37. As shown in FIG. 1, the second earpiece 30 internally includes: a first FM receiver 31 which receives an FM signal transmitted from the FM signal transmitter 11 through an antenna and separates the FMs signal into a stereo signal; an input device 33 which receives a user's input signal through a keypad 37; a third wireless transceiver for bidirectional communication with the transmitter 10 and the first earpiece 20; and a microcomputer 32 used as a control unit for controlling these devices. The same models as those of the transmitter 10 are used for the microcomputer 32 and the second wireless transceiver 34.

[30] While two earpieces are provided for a single transmitter in the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention, the audio signal may be received through a number of earpieces such as four earpieces for a single transmitter as shown in FIG. 4.

[31] Operation procedures of the aforementioned headset system according an embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

[32] Firstly, the input unit of the transmitter 10 is connected to the output unit of the audio device which provides the audio signal, such as a CD player, an MP3 player, a PMP, a television set, and a mobile phone.

[33] The transmitter 10 and the first and second earpieces 20 and 30 are powered on, and then, a frequency scan is input through the keypad 16 of the transmitter 10. Then, the transmitter 10 scans four frequencies available in the current environment through the scanner 12, and establishes them as usable frequencies.

[34] Subsequently, one of the usable frequencies is arbitrarily selected, and information on the selected frequency is transmitted from the first wireless transceiver 15 to the second and third wireless transceivers 24 and 34 of the first and second earpieces 20 and 30.

[35] The transmitter 10 converts the audio signal received from the output unit of the audio device into the FM signal of the selected frequency band, and transmits it through the FM signal transmitter 11.

[36] Then, the first and second earpieces 20 and 30 receive the FM signal based on information on the selected frequency, and output sound based on the control signal input from the keypad of the first or second earpiece 20 or 30. In this case, if stereo sound is to be output, the FM signal is separated into the left and right stereo signals and received by the left and right earpieces, respectively.

[37] When a user presses an operation key such as Play or Stop using the keypad 27 or 37 of the first or second earpiece 20 or 30, the control signal is transmitted from the second or third wireless transceiver 24 or 34 of the first or second earpiece 20 or 30 to the first wireless transceiver 15 of the transmitter 10, so that the transmitter initiates or stops operation based on the control signal.

[38] As a result, a user is allowed to readily operate the transmitter using the earpieces installed in user's ears without operating the transmitter.

Claims

[1] A wireless headset system including: a radio-frequency(RF) transmitter provided in an audio device, the RF transmitter having a scan unit which scans available frequencies in a user's environment and establishes one of the available frequencies as a usable frequency, an RF signal transmitting unit which converts an audio signal of an audio device into an RF signal to be carried on the established frequency, an input unit that can be operated by a user, a first wireless transceiver which wirelessly transmits/ receives a control signal, and a first control unit for controlling the scan unit, the RF signal transmitting unit, the input unit, and the first wireless transceiver; and at least a headset having a pair of left and right earpieces, each having an RF signal receiving unit which receives the RF signal, a second wireless transceiver that can exchange a control signal with the first wireless transceiver, a loudspeaker which outputs the received RF signal as sound, a second control unit which controls the RF signal receiving unit, the second wireless transceiver, and the loudspeaker, and a fixation unit fixed to a user's ear, wherein when the audio signal is transmitted on the frequency established by the RF transmitter, the audio signal is received on the established frequency and output by the headset so as to allow the audio signal to be transmitted between multiple devices.

[2] The wireless headset system according to claim 1, wherein the RF signal is a frequency modulation (FM) signal.

[3] The wireless headset system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the earpiece has an input unit that can be operated by a user.

[4] The wireless headset system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the scan unit is configured to scan and store a predetermined number of frequencies in the user's environment.

[5] The wireless headset system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when a plurality of radio-frequency (RF) transmitters occupies an identical frequency, one of the RF transmitters scans a predetermined number of frequencies that are not occupied by other RF transmitters in response to a user's input and uses one of the scanned frequencies.

[6] The wireless headset system according to claim 3, wherein multilateral control can be achieved using input units and wireless transmitters included in a plurality of earpieces and a plurality of RF transmitters.

[7] The wireless headset system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the left and right earpieces includes a Bluetooth module for allowing wireless communication with a mobile phone, and the control unit of the RF transmitter switches between receiving an RF signal including an audio signal or receiving a voice signal of the mobile signal. [8] A method of controlling a wireless headset system including a radio-frequency

(RF) transmitter which transmits an audio signal of an audio device and at least a headset having a pair of left and right earpieces which receives a transmitted RF signal, the method including: scanning available frequencies using a scan unit included in the earpiece or the

RF transmitter and establishing one of the scanned frequencies as a usable frequency; transmitting information on the usable frequency to the earpiece or the RF transmitter using a wireless transceiver included in the RF transmitter and the earpiece; and receiving an audio signal using the RF receiving unit of the earpiece through the usable frequency and outputting the audio signal so as to allow the audio signal to be transmitted between multiple devices. [9] The method according to claim 8, wherein the RF signal is an FM signal.