WO2019058407A1

WO2019058407A1 - Integratead microphone-easphone headset with a video-communication device for the front real time filming and video-transmission of observed event

Info

Publication number: WO2019058407A1
Application number: PCT/IT2018/050175
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giovanni Faraone
Original assignee: Giovanni Faraone
Priority date: 2017-09-25
Filing date: 2018-09-24
Publication date: 2019-03-28
Also published as: IT201700107227U1

Abstract

The invention consists of a microphone-headphone headset having a mini-smartphone/smartwatch or any other possible and all wireless video-communication device, integrated and self-battery-powered, with fast-target optical adjustment (by means of the light beam emitted), being immediately activated through inbound and/or outbound video-call forwarding, allowing the immediate front filming and video-transmission and communication (in real time) of the observed event by the operator with whom is remotely connected.

Description

DESCRIPTION of the invention called:

INTEGRATEAD MICROPHONE-EASPHONE HEADSET WITH A VIDEO-COMMUNICATION DEVICE FOR THE FRONT REAL TIME FILMING AND

VIDEO-TRANSMISSION OF OBSERVED EVENT

Technical Field

It is a modification of a normal headphone set with or without cables (Bluetooth or wireless) with an integrated microphone, having a specific mini smartphone or smartwatch (Wi-Fi, satellite, 3G/4G/5G and/or forthcoming system evolutions) provided with side video- camera, or any other and all possible video-communication wireless modules provided with video-camera, mounted on its bow or support, or in any other possible position on its structure (ear pad with loudspeaker, ear support without loudspeaker, microphone, etc.) as per the Fig. no. 1 and Fig. no. 2.

The smartphone/smartwatch/wireless video-communication module (appropriate to the purpose) is connected to the microphone- headset by wireless means, Bluetooth or by a cable and is positioned (blocked, stuck, attached or fixed on an adjustable support, by means of a cylindrical pivot or a ball joint enabling it to rotate on its own axes) on the headset structure such in a way to have its video-camera resulting at all times parallel to the utilizer's visual field. The headset provided with directional microphone can have the smartphone/smartwatch/video-communication wireless module, directly built in and integrated.

Background art

Nowadays a "video-headphone" (headset) does not exist for the realtime video-communication of the observed event, allowing common operators, assistants, volunteers, non-professional rescuers, etc. to be remotely supported by highly specialized personnel (i.e. medical support, technical or paramedical support).

The few available solutions are only complex models of viewers or glasses, "smart-glasses", provided with some video-communication systems. However, differently from a professional microphone headset system, they result not well noise insulated, either in the transmission or in the reception time, because they are not provided with an integrated loudspeaker ear-pad (typical of a mono or stereo headphone) that being positioned on the ear, isolates at least one auricle from the environmental noises, and enables to listen the operating instructions remotely communicated without noise nuisances. Moreover, it enables communication by means of a professional directional mike (so said "cardioid" pattern mike) positioned close to the mouth and receiving only the sounds coming from the closer source (excluding, then, all environmental noises which could disturb the communication), so different from the so called panoramic microphones, utilized when it's not possible to point a mike directly towards the sound source. In fact, panoramic microphones have the disadvantage to also capture the environmental noises and then potentially disturb the outgoing communication towards the remote listener (a typical problem taking place when the speakerphone in cellphones is being utilized in external very often noisy environments).

Moreover, these solutions prove not to be practical and universal as they are hardly used by not trained staff or by people wearing eyeglasses, and because they may obstruct the view, differently than a practical system which has to be handy, not invasive, immediately wearable and intuitive to be utilized by common operators.

Disclosure of invention

Purpose of the present invention is to solve all the setbacks and disadvantages typical of the few current solutions, by means of a modified mono headphone with directional microphone [2 and 3] (headset) with a specific mini smartphone or smartwatch (Wi-Fi, satellite, 3G/4G/5G and/or their evolutions) [4] applied (blocked, stuck, attached or fixed on an adjustable support, by means of cylindrical pivot or ball joint enabling it to rotate on its own axes) on the headset bow [1] or in any and all possible positions of its structure (on the ear-pad with loudspeaker, on the ear support without loudspeaker, on the microphone, etc.), having a side video- camera or any other and all possible video-communication wireless module provided with a video-camera. The smartphone/smartwatch/wireless video-communication module (appropriate to the purpose) is connected to the microphone- headset by wireless means, Bluetooth or by a cable and is positioned (blocked, stuck, attached or fixed by means of an adjustable support, i.e. a cylindrical pivot or a ball joint enabling it to rotate on its own axes) on the headset structure such in a way to have its video-camera resulting parallel to the utilizer's visual field.

The mono headset with directional microphone [2 and 3] can be further modified (in case these components are not already integrated in the smartphone/smartwatch/video-communication module) by applying on it a little bulb/led torch [7] (blocking, sticking, attaching or fixing it by means of an adjustable support, i.e. a cylindrical pivot or a ball joint enabling it to rotate on its own axes) or a satellite localization module to allow the geo-localization of the utilizer wearing the device. The little bulb/led torch is positioned in such a way to project the light beam exactly in the operator's visual field, in order to light up the view in case of low visibility.

The invention consists of a totally integrated device called video- headphone, usable also in low visibility conditions, to be worn in simple and intuitive way (being activated by a simple pressure on a button, but also in an automatic way, for instance after a pre-defined number of rings or by means of a motion sensor). It allows to get an instant video-communication (video-call) with the operation center where the remote operators will be able to watch the event in real time as it is watched by the utilizer/operator/rescuer, and to remotely support him by supplying him with all the relevant and proper instructions and/or by promptly sending further adequate rescuers, geo-localizing the device position in real time.

The video images are transmitted through an appropriate interface (application) of the integrated device via internet, 3G-324M protocol (or its evolutions) or in any case through a wireless network to a remote video-communication IT platform, specifically designed for this purpose.

Briefly, the invention allows the operator who wears it and may also not be a professional rescuer, to be backed up (from the very first moments) by the operation center or by the specialized and/or professional personnel. In this way the video-headphone's operator (rescuer) will have a technical (or medical) specialized and trained support at his disposal.

Given that both the video-communication module and the directional microphone and moreover the possible little bulb/led torch, can be installed on cylindrical pivots or ball joints making all of them adjustable, the whole video-headphone can be worn backward the head (Figure no. 4) or frontward beneath the chin. The aim is to allow to wear the video-headphone even in case of a safety helmet or any other head protection, such in a way to keep the video-camera of the video-communication module and the possible little bulb/led torch always parallel to the utilizer's visual field, and the directional microphone close to his mouth.

By means of the directional microphone mono headset utilization (with or without cables) it is possible in a simple and intuitive way to improve the communication. In fact:

-The operator will directly put his ear (his auricle) on the single loudspeaker pad of the headset, and will be able to listen (with no environment sounds) the operating instructions remotely communicated

-The operator will communicate through the headset directional microphone (so called cardioid) positioned close to his mouth in such a way to receive only the sounds from the sound source closer to it (then excluding environment nuisances that might disturb the communication).

-Being the headset a mono headset, the operator will have an ear free to listen to surrounding sounds and voices which could be useful for his action.

When it is deemed necessary the video-headphone can be noise insulated being assembled with a couple of loudspeaker ear-pads instead of one.

Brief description of drawings

Figure no. 1 is referred to the front view of the video-headphone; it can be seen the smartphone/smartwatch/video-communication module [4] mounted on the mono headphone bow [1] (in this case on its left side) having the video-camera [5] parallel to the utilizer's visual field, as well as the little bulb/led torch for the night lighting [7]. It is also possible to see the headset directional microphone (cardioid) [3] and the headset loudspeaker pad [2].

Figure no. 2 shows a video-headphone side view as worn by the operator, and it is possible to see the video-camera sight [5] perfectly parallel to the utilizer's visual field.

In this case the smartphone/smartwatch/video-communication module [4] is applied on the very same side (right side) of the directional microphone (cardioid) [3] and of the headset loudspeaker pad [2].

Figure no. 3 shows an example of some adjustable supports (cylindrical pivots or ball joints) [8], [9] and [10] of the smartphone/smartwatch/video-communication module, the directional microphone (cardiod) and the little bulb/led torch, allowing the correct positioning of these components with regards to the headset bow structure.

Figure no. 4 shows an example of how it is possible to wear the video-headphone in case of a safety helmet or any kind of head protection with the video-communication module and its video- camera rotated in such a way to keep it within the operator's visual field and the directional microphone positioned close to his mouth. Legend of elements in attached drawings:

1) Headset bow structure 2) Headset loudspeaker ear-pad positioned on the auricle

3) Microphone

4) Smartphone/smartwatch/video-communication module

5) Smartphone/smartwatch video-camera

6) Headset ear support without loudspeaker

7) Little bulb/led torch for the night lighting

8) Fixed or adjustable support of the smartphone/smartwatch/ video-communication module

9) Fixed or adjustable support of the microphone

10) Fixed or adjustable support of the little bulb/led torch for the night lighting

Best mode for carrying out the invention

The best mode for carrying out the invention is to assemble a mono headset with directional microphone with all or some of the components (modules) of the new-found product built-in, powered by a single rechargeable accumulator (rechargeable battery).

Claims

CLAI MS

I] Mono headphone "headset" with directional microphone via radio type (Bluetooth, wireless), but also with wires type, characterized by the mechanical application on its bow, or in any other possible position on its structure, of a specific video phone, a mini smartphone or a smartwatch (Wi-Fi, satellite, 3G/4G/5G and/or their evolutions) or any other and all possible video-communication wireless modules being interconnected with the headphone in the same way (via radio or wired). The so obtained integrated device, called video-headphone, allows to video-call and/or be video-called, transmitting (in real time) the observed images.

I I] Video-headphone, as per claim no. I, characterized by a specific video phone, a mini smartphone or a smartwatch (Wi-Fi, satellite, 3G/4G/5G and/or their evolutions) or any other and all possible video-communication wireless module, having a side video camera installed in such a way to target the view in a direction perfectly parallel to the utilizer visual beam.

I II] Video-headphone, as per claim no. I, or no. II, characterized by the application of a little bulb/led torch, mounted in any position of its structure, so that it results always parallel to the video camera, such in a way to project the light beam in the utilizer's visual beam, and in such a way to facilitate even the correct position of the video camera (targeting the observed event) and, in the same time, lighting the scene in case of low visibility conditions.

IV] Video-headphone, as per claim no. I, or no. II, or no. Ill characterized by the integration of a satellite geo-localizer in the wireless video-communication module.

V] Video-headphone, as per claim no. I, or no. II, or no. Ill, or no. IV, characterized by a second loudspeaker ear pad (stereo).

VI] Video-headphone, as per claim no. I, or no. II, or no. Il l, or no. IV, or no. V characterized by the wireless video-communication module, the directional microphone and the little bulb/led torch, mounted on adjustable or rotating supports, by means of cylindrical pivots or ball joints. Such supports allow the different components rotation and then their adjustment to the right or desired position even in case of safety helmet or head protection are utilized, setting the headset in the most appropriate position on the head (backward the head, over the head or frontward beneath the chin).

VII] Video-headphone, as per claim no. I, or no. I I, or no. Ill, or no. IV, or no. V, or no. VI characterized by having some or all the components (modules) built-in a unique headset and powered by a single rechargeable accumulator (rechargeable battery).