WO2015047426A1

WO2015047426A1 - Headset with integrated parameter storage

Info

Publication number: WO2015047426A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/070956
Authority: WO
Inventors: William Gibbens Redmann
Original assignee: Thomson Licensing SAS
Current assignee: Thomson Licensing SAS
Priority date: 2013-09-26
Filing date: 2013-11-20
Publication date: 2015-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 2016-03-26
Also published as: TW201515478A

Abstract

A method for reproducing audio by a user-worn headset (120A) commences by transmitting from the user-worn headset (120A) at least one stored parameter for personalizing audio. Thereafter, the user-worn headset (120A) will receive for reproduction thereby audio from an audio reproduction device (190) personalized in accordance with the at least one stored parameter transmitted from the user-worn headset (120A). The headset (120A) comprises: a memory (142) for storing at least one audio parameter for personalizing audio; an outbound communications interface (143) coupled to the memory (142) for transmitting the at least one stored audio parameter to the audio reproduction device (190) which personalizes audio in accordance with the at least one audio parameter; a controller (140A) for controlling the memory (142) and the outbound communications interface (143); right and left audio transducers (121, 122) for reproducing audio received from the audio reproduction device (190) personalized in accordance with the at least one audio parameter; and a communications channel (110, 117) for carrying the at least one audio parameter to the audio reproduction device (190) and for carrying audio signals from the audio reproduction device (190) to the right and left audio transducers (121, 122).

Description

HEADSET WITH INTEGRATED PARAMETER STORAGE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 1 19(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent

Application Serial No 61/882,950, filed September 26, 2013, teachings of which are incorporated herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to audio headsets. BACKGROUND ART Advances in audio reproduction devices allow such devices to reproduce audio personalized for each individual listener. Such customization can occur based on audio parameters measured by the device or on based on persona! preferences entered by the user. In many instances, a user will make use of different audio reproduction devices depending on his or her location. For example, a user might use his or her smart phone or personal music player while in the car or outside, but may use a tablet, laptop or desktop computer while at work or at home. Establishing personalized settings remains time-consuming task and such settings remain specific to each audio reproduction device.

in January of 2013 at the Consumer Electronics Show, Technicolor, Inc. publicly demonstrated a head-related transfer function (HRTF)-based rendering of high-order ambisonic sound fields on a headset. To get the best results from this process, a user had to complete a calibration procedure, which required the user spend several minutes interacting with a computer, while listening through the headset. If a user wanted to repeat the demonstration later, or utilize another tablet computer, the user had to repeat the calibration procedure. There currently does not exist any good way to transfer parameters derived from the calibration procedure to another device, or recall them for later use, without requiring a user to register and/or login to the computer.

Thus, a need exists for a technique for personalizing audio without the aforementioned disadvantages. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present principles, a method for reproducing audio by a user- worn headset commences by transmitting from the user- worn headset at least one stored audio parameter for personalizing audio. Thereafter, the user-worn headset will receive for reproduction thereby audio from an audio processing device

personalized in accordance with the at least one stored audio parameter transmitted from the user worn headset, BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 A depicts a block schematic circuit of a first embodiment of a user-worn headset having audio parameter storage for enabling an audio reproduction device to supply to the headset audio personalized in accordance with the stored audio parameier(s);

FIG. 1 B depicts a block schematic circuit of a second embodiment of a user-worn headset having audio parameter storage for enabling an audio reproduction device to supply to the headset audio personalized in accordance with the stored audio parameier(s);

FIG. 1 C depicts a block schematic circuit of a third embodiment of a user-worn headset having audio parameter storage for enabling an audio reproduction device supply to the headset audio personalized in accordance with the stored parameters;

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the headset of FIGS. 1 A; and,

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary set of communication signals generated in connection with the headsets of FIGS. 1 A 1 C. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with the present principles, a user-worn audio headset includes a nonvolatile parameter storage mechanism (i.e., a memory) for storing audio parameters for use in personalizing audio for reproduction of audio signals by the headset. The headset of the present principles can take the form of headphones or ear buds, in either a monaural or a stereo configuration. The illustrated exemplary embodiments comprise stereo headphones, which could include a microphone for use in voice communication application, but need not do so in accordance with the present principles. FIG. 1 A illustrates a first embodiment of a headset 120A having a built-in audio parameter storage mechanism in the form of a memory 142, The headset 120 A of the present invention makes use of an audio cable 1 17 and a plug 1 10 (or functional equivalents) to connect the headset to an audio reproduction device (not shown) which could include a portable music player, smart telephone or one of a tablet, laptop or desktop computer by way of example and not by way of limitation. The cable 1 17 has a sufficient number of conductors to carry a stereo audio signal and a monaural (monophonic) microphone signal between the headset 120A and the audio reproduction device. The plug 1 10 comprises a common 3.5 mm diameter, four-conductor plug, but could have other configurations, such as, but not limited to a ¼ inch stereo plug.

The headset 120A includes a left-ear transducer 121 connected to a left audio connection 1 1 1 at the tip of the plug 1 10, either directly as shown here, or through an optional filter (not shown). Further, the headset 120A includes a right-ear transducer 122 connected to a right audio connection 1 13 at the first ring of the plug 1 10. An exemplary insulator 1 12 separates the tip from the first ring on the plug 1 10. Similarly, other insulators separate other rings on the plug ί 10 from each other. A ground connection 1 14 at the second ring of the plug 1 10 connects to the transducers S 21 and 122, and to a microphone 123. The microphone 123 has another connection 1 15 provided through the "shield" of plug 1 10, which may be insulated from or electrically connected to plug body 1 16. A second cable 1 19 connects the right ear transducer 122 to the remainder of headset 320A

Other embodiments of the headset 120A could have could different signals on the plug 1 10, For example, the second ring 1 34 and the shield 1 15 on the plug 3 30 could carry the signals from the microphone 123 as is common for some manufacturers. A monaural headset would require fewer connections on its plug, as compared to a stereo headset. In contrast, if the headset 320 were to employ individual twisted pairs for each of transducers 121 and 122, and the microphone 123, the plug i 30 would need more connections, or multiple separate plugs could be used.

The headset 120 includes a controller 140A that manages the memory 142. In particular, the controller 140A controls the writing of audio parameters to, and the reading of audio parameters from the memory 142 based on commands received over one or both of the audio connections 3 1 1 and 1 13. An inbound communication interface 341 A couples the in coming communication channel (e.g., the audio connections 3 3 1 and 1 13) to the controller 140A. Similarly, an outbound communication interface 143 provides an interface between the controller 340A and an out -going communication channel that uses the microphone connection 1 15. If the headset 120A includes the microphone 123, then a mixer 144 combines signals from the outbound communication interface 143 and the microphone 123. In practice, the mixer 144 could comprise a simple resistor network (not shown). Further, the headset 120A includes a power supply 130A, typically in the form of a battery and possibly a voltage regulator, for supplying power to the controller 140A, as well as the inbound and outbound communications interfaces 14 A and 143, and the mixer 144 if needed, (in place of the power supply 1 0A, the headset could receive a DC voltage directly from the audio reproduction device, though the cable 1 17 and the plug 3 10, provided each had additional conductors for this purpose or a separate cord and plug could serve this purpose.)

The MSP430F5131 Mixed Signal Controller manufactured and marketed by Texas Instruments, Inc., of Dallas, TX, or other members of that controller family (e.g., the

MSP430F5132 Mixed Signal Controller) could readily implement the functions of the controller 140A, the memory 1 2, and at least a portion of communication interfaces 141 A and 143. When configured to run a clock rate of 8 MHz or less, such TI Mixed Signal Controllers draw less than 5 mW of power, thus assuring relatively long life of the battery within the power supply 330A. Such TI Mixed Signal Controllers also have an on-board FLASH memory, which can perform the function of the memory 142. In the case of the MSP430F5133 Mixed Signal Controller, the general-purpose I/O pins on the device can serve to receive and transmit signals to provide the functionality of the inbound and outbound audio interfaces 141 A and 143. In the case of the TI MSP430F5132 Mixed Signal Controller, the pins on the device associated with its on-board analog-to-digital converter can receive inbound signals and other device pins can serve to transmit outbound signals.

The Controller 340A can a3so manage power consumption to improve the life of the battery in the power supply 330A. During intervals while the controller 140A does not need to manage the writing of audio parameters to. or the reading of audio parameters from the memory 142, the controller can operate in a Sow power mode. Under such circumstances, the controller 140A could signal the power supply 330A to reduce the power supplied through a connection 332 to the other active elements in the headset, such as the inbound and outbound communication interfaces 343 A and 343 of FIG. 3 A. The controller 340A has a switch 333 A coupled thereto (depicted in FIG. 1 A as a singie-poSe, single-throw switch). A user will actuate (close) the switch 133 A to alert the controller 140A to return to a normal operating mode to actively monitor the inbound communication interface 341 A for signals

representative of commands.

In practice, the inbound communication interface 141 A will receive commands to write audio parameters to, or read audio parameters from, the memory 142, as discussed above. In addition, the inbound communication interface 34 A can also receive commands to merely confirm its presence and activity, that is, to confirm that headset 320A has the ability to provide audio parameters for personalizing audio or to confirm that the user has closed the switch 131 A. In some embodiments, the controller 340A can initiate the output of audio parameters from the memory 142 whenever a user closes the switch 131 A without waiting for receipt of an explicit read command. After a predetermined interval following no commands, the controller 140 A can return to low power mode to maximize battery life.

in an alternative embodiment, the headset 320A could include a switch (not shown) for switching the microphone connection 1 15 between the microphone 123 and the outbound communication interface 143, rather than requiring mixer 344. To that end, the switch 331 A could take the form of a double-pole, double-throw switch, rather than the single-pole, single- throw switch depicted in FIG. 3 A with the second poles (not shown) connecting to either the outbound communication interface 343 or the microphone 323. In still another embodiment, an electronic switch (not shown), could switch between the outbound communication interface 143 or microphone 123 based on a control signal (not shown) output by controller 340A in place of the mixer 344.

To make use of the headset 120A in accordance with the present principles, a user will insert the plug 1 10 into a jack of an audio reproduction device (not shown), e.g., a smartphone, tablet, or computer or other device, having the capability of providing audio personalized in accordance with the parameter(s) stored in the memory 342 of the headset. After connecting the headset 320A to the audio reproduction device, the user will undertake a test with the audio reproduction device to determine the user's individual perception of audio material selected or synthesized for evaluation. The test will yield one or more audio parameters that characterize the user's audio perception. Subsequently, the user will receive an instruction to close the switch 333 A to aHow the headset 320A to receive those parameters when sent by the audio reproduction device and store those parameters in the memory 142.

Subsequently, whenever the user makes use of the headset 120A with the same or another audio reproduction device, the user will close the switch 131 A to trigger the audio reproduction device to read the stored parameters from the headset. Alternatively, closing the swiich 131 A can simply the trigger controller 140A to read out the parameters. In either case, the headset 120A will output the parameters via the microphone output connection 1 15 to the audio reproduction device. The audio reproduction device, upon receiving and decoding such a signal, can use the parameters so transmitted to personalize the audio subsequently provided to the headset 120A for reproduction.

As an example of how the audio reproduction device can personalize audio for reproduction, assume that the user has initially calibrated his or her headset 120A to retain personalized equalization settings to reflect the user's relative sensitivity to certain audio bands. To obtain such settings, the user would test his or her hearing using the headset 120A to determine whether and to what degree a user's hearing above 18 kHz or above 15 kHz, etc., has reduced sensitivity as compared to their sensitivity at say 1 kHz. Such a test might further determine whether the user has greater sensitivity in one ear, as compared to the other by what degree, and in what bands. . Such testing can be done using an audio device 180 shown in Figure 1 A and the stored audio parameters can be carried over or utilized by the heat set 120 for another audio device 1 0.

The characterization of the user's hearing will yield audio parameters for audio personalization based on information gained from the testing. For example, such testing could characterize a user's hearing in terms of the frequency above which the user's hearing exhibits a particular degree of reduced sensitivity, for example, identifying the user's 3 db point.

Another way to characterize a user's hearing would require determining the relative sensitivity between the user's ears, for example by having the user set the relative amplitudes of a signal, typically constrained to a particular frequency band, so that signals seem equal in both ears.

The user could also take a test to determine a suitable head-related transfer function

(HRTF) in order to obtain audio parameters for customizing the reproduced audio. In one embodiment, given a plurality of predetermined HRTFs, such a test would entail using a particular HTRF to render a particular audio segment representing a certain placement or movement of a sound source, followed by a request to the user to identify the placement or movement of that source. After several such tests using each of several different HRTFs, the user's success will vary with different HRTFs. Ultimately, the selected HRTF will correspond to the HTRF that represents the user's most successful identification. The audio parameters obtained following testing using one of the above-described methods undergo storage in the memory 142. Subsequently, a user will connect the headset 120A to an audio reproduction device capable of personalizing audio in accordance with received parameters. That audio reproduction device will then access the parameters (i.e., the equalization settings or the specific HRTF selected) for processing the audio for

personalization during playback by the headset 120A. As thus, described, the user need only calibrate the headset 120A once. Thereafter, the user can use the headset 120A with any compatible audio reproduction device (i.e., any audio reproduction device capable of personalizing the audio in accordance with the received parameters).

in some embodiments, leaving the switch 131 A of the headset 120A open will keep the controller 140 and the interfaces 141 A and 143 de-energized. Under such circumstances, the headset S 20A will operate as a traditional headset. In other words, while the switch 131 A remains open, the right and left transducers 121 and 122 will reproduce audio from the audio reproduction device connected to the headset through the plug 1 10 and the cable 1 17. When provided with the headset 120A, the microphone 123 will pick up the user's speech and provide that speech to the connected device.

When the user closes the switch 3 31 A, the controller 140A transitions from low power mode to an active state and begins then monitoring of the audio connections 1 1 1 and 1 13 for signals representing commands. Requiring closure of the switch 131 A by the user before the controller monitors for commands reduces the likelihood that the controller would interpret random signals that might occasionally occur in music or other audio content as commands. Such a false command could corrupt stored setting or could induce occasional audible glitches to a remote user should the controller read out data over the microphone channel unexpectedly in response to such a false command.

In some circumstances when battery life remains of less concern, or where audio activity can wake the controller 140A from a lower power mode into the active state, the statistical likelihood of a random signal being interpreted as a command remains sufficiently small. Thus, operation of the headset 120A in a parameter transfer mode can occur without the added safeguard of requiring closure of the switch 1 1 A. Note, however, that hackers might post content on popular sites that deliberately include codes that could corrupt the settings of the headset 120A. Thus, requiring closure of the switch 131 A to initiate parameter transfer remains a useful safeguard. In embodiments designed to allow reading of data without the closure switch 131 A, an external system attempting to write data can first direct the user to close the switch. Then, the external system can continuously attempt to write the settings, interspersed with a read back of those same settings. Thus, the attempt to write the settings can repeat until the user has closed the switch 131 A and the audio parameters have become properly set, as confirmed by a subsequent read back.

in some embodiments, the signaling that occurs in connection with the read back following the writing of audio parameters can make use of separate clock and data signals. For example, the right audio connection 1 13 can carry the clock signal while the left audio connection 1 1 1 can carry the data signal. Data communication in this manner occurs by holding the data signal held high or low to establish a binary value during each particular transition (e.g., low to high) of the clock signal, in some embodiments, the incoming ciock signal can also serve to clock the output data signal sent via the microphone channel 1 15. In another embodiment the output data signal can be self-clocked, e.g.. as with Manchester encoded signals.

Upon receipt of a command to store one or more audio parameters, the controller 140A will write the parameter(s) to the memory 142. Likewise, in response to a command to retrieve one or more audio parameters, the controller 140A will read those parameters from the memory 142 for subsequent transmission via the microphone connection and the outbound interface 143. The signaling to or by the controller 140A can make use of frequency-shift keying, phase-shift keying, pulse-width modulation, and could employ Manchester encoding, or other well-known bitstream encoding techniques.

FIG. 1 B depicts a second preferred embodiment of a headset 120B having a built-in memory 142 for storing audio parameters for use by an audio reproduction device to produce personalized audio for reproduction by the headset in accordance with the present principles. The headset 120B of the present principles employs many of the same elements as the headset 120A of FIG. 1 , so like numbers will refer to like elements. As with the headset 120A of FIG. I A, the headset 120B comprises a cable 17 and a plug 1 10 to connect the headset to the audio reproduction device (not shown). As discussed in connection with the headset 120A of FIG. 1 A, the plug 1 10 and the cable 1 37 of FIG. 1 B support stereo reproduction, and a single microphone 123. Like the headset 320A of FIG. 3 A, the headset 120B of FIG. 1 B also includes right and left transducers 122 and 121 , an outbound communications interface 143 and a mixer 144. ln contrast to the Headset 120A of FIG. 1 A whose power supply 120A includes a battery, the headset 120B comprises a power supply 130B thai derives power from a supplied audio signal. In one embodiment, the right audio connection 1 13 passes through single-pole, double-throw switch 13 ! B, which normally connects the right audio connection 1 13 to the right-ear transducer 122. However, when closed, the switch 131B instead routes the right audio connection 1 13 to the power supply 130B, which comprises a step-up transformer (shown inside power supply 130B) and additional rectification and conditioning circuits (not shown), for example as taught by Kuo et al. in "Hijacking Power and Bandwidth from the Mobile Phone's Audio Interface", in ACM DEV'10 Proceedings of the First ACM Symposium on Computing for Development, published by the ACM, New York, NY, which demonstrates a scavenged power capability in excess of 10 mW. The power supply 130B provides to power to the rest of the element in headset 120B (e.g., the controller 140B and the outbound communications channel 143), where in this example power is scavenged from the audio interface (i.e., right audio connection 1 13), while the switch 13 IB is closed. Note that when switch 131 B is closed, the right audio connection 3 13 no longer provides a connection to the to right-ear transducer 123. In other embodiments, scavenged power may be derived from another source (e.g., photovoltaic, not shown), and in some embodiments may be used to provide charging for a battery (not shown in FIG. 1 B). When activated by a close of switch 131 B and the presence of a suitable audio signal (for example, a full amplitude 20 KHz sine wave being provided to the right audio connection 1 13, the power supply 130B drives a controller 140B and also drives other modules and circuitry through connection 132 (only partially shown).

The controller 340B operates in a manner similar to controller 140A, but without the responsibility of managing battery life. During intervals while the controller 140B does not need to function, i.e., when the user has released switch 131 B, power will eventually drop off. The controller 340B will manage this transition so as not to adversely affect the audio parameters stored in the memory 142. When the user closes the switch 131 B, power becomes available shortly thereafter and the controller 140B will start by performing a power-on reset operation before entering a normal operating mode during which the controller begins monitoring the inbound communication interface 143 B for commands. Commands received may direct controller 340B to write or read audio parameters to the memory 142, as discussed above in conjunction with inbound communication interface 143 A of FIG 1 A. In some embodiments, the inbound communication interface 141 B of headset 120B will monitor only the audio connection not used to supply power (e.g., only left audio connection 1 1 1), for which communication encoding would require self-clocking. In other embodiments, the audio signal that supplies power (i.e., the sine wave discussed above in conjunction with right audio connection 1 13) can also serve as the clock signal. Under these circumstances, the inbound communication interface 341 B of FIG. I B can monitor the connection 1 13 directly (as shown), or monitor a signal (not shown) derived from the high side of the step-up transformer in the power supply module 130B.

FIG. 1C depicts a third preferred embodiment of a headset 120C having a built-in memory 142 for storing audio parameters for use by an audio reproduction device to produce personalized audio for reproduction by the headset in accordance with the present principles. The headset 120C of the present principles employs many of the same elements as the headset 120A of FIG. 1 A and 120B of FIG. I B, so like numbers will refer to like elements. As with the headset 120A of FIG. 1 A and the headset 120B of FIG. 1 B, the headset 120C of FIG. 1 C includes right and left transducers 122 and 121 , an outbound communications interface 143, a microphone 123, and a mixer 144. Further, the headset 120C includes a power supply 130C, an inbound communications interface 141C and a controller 140C, which all function similarly to the corresponding elements in the headsets 120A and 120B of FIGS. 1 A and I B, respectively. Like the power supply 130A of headset 120A, the power supply 130C includes a battery.

Unlike the headset I 20A and 120B, which re!y on the combination of the plug 1 10 and cord 1 17 for establishing a wired connection to an audio reproduction device, the headset 120C has a radio- frequency transceiver 150 for communicating signals between the audio reproduction device and the headset. The radio-frequency transceiver 150 can use any of a variety of well-known short-range wireless communications protocols, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for exchanging signals. Using an RF transceiver, such as radio-frequency transceiver 150, in place of a cord and plug affords the user of the headset 120C greater flexibility and freedom of movement at the expense of reduced battery life since the battery in the power supply 130C undergoes constant drain in order to power the radio-frequency transceiver.

The radio-frequency transceiver 150 of the headset 120C of FIG i C serves the same function as the plug 1 10 and cord 1 17 of the headsets 120A and 120B of FIGS 1 A and 1 B, respectively, namely, the communication of both audio parameters and audio signals. Like -l ithe headsets 120A and 120B, the radio-frequency transceiver 150 of headset 120C could communicate parameters to an audio reproduction device via a microphone connection otherwise associated with carrying voice signals from the headset microphone 123. However, the radio-frequency transceiver 350 could make use of one or more other channels, or could even multiplex the audio parameters on the same channel used to communicate audio signals. Thus, in this regard, the radio-frequency transceiver 150 in the headset 120C can obviate the need for a dedicated microphone channel for carrying audio parameters to an audio reproduction device. That is, rather the relying on in-band signaling as shown in FIG. 1 C, parameter data could be written or read through an out-of-band signal path (not shown), which may be digital, between the controller 140C and RF transceiver 160.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary physical structure for the headsets 120A and 120B showing the plug 1 10 connected via the cable Π 7 to the headset which as discussed previously, includes left and right ear transducers 121 and 122, the cable 1 19, a switch 131 (representing either switch 131 A or 13 IB of FIGS 1 A and I B, respectively), and the microphone 123. The remainder of the elements reside inside the headset.

FIG. 3 A shows a set of exemplary in-band signals 301 , 302, and 303 corresponding to the left audio connection i l l , right audio connection 1 13, and microphone connection 1 15, respectively, of FIGS 1 A and I B. The signal 301 corresponds to an incoming audio signal that can include a command or parameter for storage in the memory 142. The signal 303 corresponds to an outgoing audio signal and include represents data, such as a reply to a command, which may comprise a requested audio parameter read from the memory 142. The signal 302 corresponds to an incoming audio signal that may provide power if needed, e.g., for power supply 130B, and can also serve as a clock signal for use in conjunction with either or both of the signals 301 and 303. In FIG. 3A, time, amplitudes, numbers of data bits, etc., do not necessarily appear to scale, but represent exemplary behaviors.

The signal 302 can have a tone burst 31 1 whose full amplitude waves such as wave 310, have a frequency suited to efficiently transfer power to the power supply 130B in connection with the headset 3 20B. In some embodiments having a power supply that is battery-based (e.g., power supply 130A) or which uses another power source (e.g., photovoltaic, not shown), the tone burst 31 3 can signal the start of a command sequence, causing the inbound communication interface to alert the controller.

FIG. 3A shows a schematic transaction 300 that uses frequency shift keying (FS ) encoding for the data bits in left-ear portion of the audio signal 303. Upon receipt of a data signal 320 from an audio reproduction device, the controllers 140A, 14GB or 140C will monitor the frequency of the data signal over a set of periodic windows 321-326, which may be self-ciocked (e.g., with predetermined periodic intervals beginning with the rise of the signal 320 at a time 312), or with a clock derived from the signal 310 (e.g., with intervals bounded by positive-going zero crossings at the times 312 and 313, and periodically thereafter). A first binary value may be encoded as an interval of higher frequency signal, as in the windows 321 , 323, 324, and 326; and a second binary value can be encoded as an interval of lower frequency signal, as in the windows 322, and 325. The encoding may be distinguished either in a hardware implantation of one of the inbound communication interfaces 141 A- 341C, or in a hybrid implementation that further comprises a software module (not shown). If the encoding of signal 301 is self-clocking (not shown), the signal 302 becomes unnecessary (if not used to transfer power). FIG. 3A depicts an outbound data signal 330 with similar higher frequency encoding (windows 331 and 333) and lower frequency encoding (window 332) associated with the outgoing signal. In this example, the data signal undergoes clocking to intervals defined by positive-going zero crossing transitions of a clock signal 330, such as at time 314.

As an example, the incoming data signal 320 might be decoded as the six bits:

"301 101 " which could be decoded as the command in which the first two bits " 10" represent a "read" command, and the next four bits " 1 101 " indicate a particular parameter, e.g., #13 (not shown) in the memory 142 for read out. The outgoing data signal 330 generated in response to that command, could be decoded as the three bits "301 ", thereby indicating that the value of parameter #13 is '5'.

FIG. 3B shows a similar schematic transaction 350 conducted with a different embodiment using phase-shift keying (PSK), in which incoming audio signals 353 and 352, and outbound audio signal 353 appear in a similar manner. An incoming data signal 360 will have a tone burst portion 361 and data windows 371 -376 beginning as a data signal 370 starts (i.e., becomes substantially non-zero). The value of each window is determined at such times (e.g., times 362 and 363) when the clock signal exhibits a negative-going zero crossing, where an amplitude below zero corresponds to a first binary value (as at time 362) and an amplitude above zero corresponds to a second binary value (as at time 363). Likewise, with the outbound data signal 380, the first binary value appears in a window 381 at a time 364, and in a window 383, whereas the second binary value appears in window 382. The signaling and encodings discussed in conjunction with FIGS. 3A and 3B are well known, including self- clocking embodiments, e.g., Manchester encoding (not shown).

The foregoing describes a device and method for personalizing audio reproduced by a headset worn by a user.

Claims

CLA1MS

1 , A method for reproducing audio by a user-worn headset, comprising the steps of:

transmitting from the user-worn headset at least one stored audio parameter for personalizing audio: and

receiving at the user-wom headset for reproduction thereby audio from an audio reproduction device personalized in accordance with the at least one audio parameter transmitted from the user-worn headset.

2, The method according to claim 1 wherein the at least one stored parameter is transmitted across a microphone channel associated with the headset.

3, The method according to claim 1 further including the steps of:

receiving, across a headset audio channel at least one audio parameter established during calibration of the headset by an audio reproduction device; and storing the at least one audio parameter at the headset.

4, The method according to claim 1 wherein the at least one audio parameter is transmitted from the headset across a wired connection.

5, The. method according to claim I wherein the at least one audio parameter is transmitted from the headset across a wireless connection. 6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the audio from the audio reproduction device is received at the headset across a wired connection.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the audio from the audio reproduction device is received at the headset across a wireless connection,

8, The method according to claim 1 wherein the transmitting step includes the steps of: receiving a command at the headset from the audio reproduction device to transmit the at least one audio parameter to the audio reproduction device.

9. The method according to claim 8 wherein the command is received at the headset from the audio reproduction device across an audio connection.

10. The method according to claim 1 wherein the transmitting is at least partially in response to a switch actuated on the headset. 1 1 . A head set comprising:

a memory for storing at least one audio parameter for personalizing audio;

an outbound communications interface coupled to the memory for transmitting the at least one stored audio parameter to an audio reproduction device which personalizes audio in accordance with the at least one audio parameter;

a controller for controlling the memory and the outbound communications interface; right and left audio transducers for reproducing audio received from the audio reproduction device personalized in accordance with the at least one audio parameter; and a communications channel for carrying the at least one audio parameter to the audio reproduction device and for carrying audio signals from the audio reproduction device to the right and left audio transducers.

] 2. The headset according to claim 1 1 further including a power supply having a battery for powering the controller, the memory and the outbound communications interface. 13. The headset according to claim 1 1 further including a power supply for powering the controller, the memory and the outbound communications interface from audio received from the audio reproduction device.

14. The headset according to claim 1 1 wherein the communications channel comprises the combination of a plug and a cord.

15. The headset according to claim 1 1 wherein the communications channel comprises a radio frequency transceiver.

16. The headset according to claim 1 1 further including an inbound

communications interface for receiving at least one audio parameter from the audio reproduction device established during calibration of the headset.

17. The headset according to claim 1 1 wherein the controller controls the outbound communications interface to transmit the at least one audio parameter to the audio reproduction device in response to a command received from the audio reproduction device.

18. The headset according to claim 1 1 wherein the controller monitors an audio connection of the headset for commands from the audio reproduction device.

19. The headset according to claim 1 1 further comprising a switch which when closed, causes the controller to transmit the at least one stored audio parameter to the audio reproduction device .