Telecommunications – Transmitter and receiver at same station – Radiotelephone equipment detail
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-12
2001-10-09
Trost, William (Department: 2683)
Telecommunications
Transmitter and receiver at same station
Radiotelephone equipment detail
C455S575100, C455S149000, C379S430000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06301490
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to electronic communications and is particularly directed to audio communications systems utilizing an audio headset.
A typical audio headset includes a pair of earphones and may further include a microphone. In a monophonic headset, each earphone reproduces the same audio communication, such as a voice sound or music, in response to a received audio communication signal. In a stereophonic headset, a first earphone reproduces a first audio communication in response to a received first audio communication signal and a second earphone reproduces a second audio communication in response to a received second audio received audio communication signal, wherein the first and second communication signals are received from the same source as components of a stereo audio signal. A microphone detects sounds, such as voice sounds, and produces a microphone output signal in response to the detected sounds. The microphone output signal may be provided to a plurality of output terminals and thereby communicated simultaneously to audio speakers used by a plurality of persons.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, a person wearing a stereophonic audio headset, including a pair of earphones that are respectively connected for receiving voice communication signals from microphones used by two other persons, and a microphone that is coupled to speakers used by the two other persons, can communicate by voice simultaneously with both of the other persons.
Problems that occur that occur when so using a stereophonic headset to communicate simultaneously with two or more persons include difficulty in excluding one of the other persons from a conversation when privacy is desired; and difficulty in distinguishing between the reproduced voices of two different persons that are respectively reproduced simultaneously by the different earphones.
The present invention provides communication apparatus for enabling a person wearing a headset including first and second audio earphones to selectively communicate with two other persons, comprising an input circuit for connection to the first and second earphones for separately providing first and second audio communication signals separately received from different sources to the first and second earphones respectly, a and input switching means connected to the input circuit for selectively enabling the input circuit to provide either (a) the first audio communication signal to the first earphone, (b) the second audio communication signal to the second earphone, or (c) the first and second audio communication signals simultaneously and separately to the first and second earphones respectively.
The present invention also provides an audio communications headset, comprising first and second audio earphones; input circuit means connected to the first and second earphones for separately providing first and second audio communication signals separately received from different sources to the first and second earphones respectively; and input switching means connected to the input circuit means for selectively enabling the input circuit means to provide either (a) the first audio communication signal to the first earphone, (b) the second audio communication signal to the second earphone, or (c) the first and second audio communication signals simultaneously and separately to the first and second earphones respectively.
The present invention additionally provides communication apparatus for enabling a person wearing a headset including first and second audio earphones to communicate with two other persons, comprising an input circuit for connection to the first and second earphones for separately providing first and second audio communication signals separately received from different sources to the first and second earphones respectively; and means for generating a distinctive audio pattern signal; and means coupled to the input circuit for causing the generated distinctive audio pattern signal to be provided exclusively to the first earphone whenever the first audio communication signal is being provided to the first earphone.
The present invention still further provides a method of selectively communicating with two other persons by a person wearing a headset including first and second audio earphones, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) separately receiving a first audio communication signals from a first person and a second audio communication signal from a second person; and
(b) selectively providing at different times (i) the first audio communication signal to the first earphone, (ii) the second audio communication signal to the second earphone, and (iii) the first and second audio communication signals simultaneously and separately to the first and second earphones respectively.
Additional features of the present invention are described with reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiments.
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Callan Edward W.
Gesesse Tilahun
Trost William
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