Audio device and method of controlling audio device

Abstract

 A headset is provided with two ear cups and a microphone boom arm arranged at the one side of the headset. The boom arm may be moved toward the mouth in two opposed direction, the one direction fitting a wearing style with the boom arm at the left ear, and the opposed direction fitting a wearing style with the boom arm at the right ear. When the boom arm is turned towards the mouth the movement is registered, and it is determed from this signal at which ear the user wears the boom arm, and the stereo signal is routed to the users right and left ear respectively based on this registration.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] In audio devices such as headset devices having a microphone arranged to capture the users voice and being fastened to one of two ear cups arranged to produce a sound input to the users two ears, it has become customary to provide a stereo input to the two ear cups, such that the user may experience sounds as coming from various points in space with respect to the head. Especially in computer gaming, this effect is important as gamers are to react to sound input as well as to visual inputs from the screen, and the location of a sound source may be conveyed by means of the stereo or 3D effect which may be provided with dedicated sound input to each of the ear cups.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] From EP 1530348 an optical switch for controlling an operative condition of a headset is known. The headset includes a microphone boom that is rotatable with respect to a housing for the headset and the rotational position of the microphone boom controls an on/off switching device for the headset.

[0003] A similar headset device is known from US 2006/0140435, however with a mechanical switch.

[0004] US 7406172 discloses a behind-the-head mounted personal audio set that allows a mono-aural personal audio device to be worn in either a wearer's left or right ear without the need to remove or detach individual components of the personal audio set. In a disclosed embodiment, the personal audio device has two ear phone portions and the mount allows the audio device to operate in either mono or stereo modes wherein one of the ear phones may be moved away from a wearer's ear when needed, such as when driving. A boom microphone is preferably pivotally secured to one of the ear phone portions.

[0005] Headsets for use at one ear are known from WO 2008/045481 and US 4273969.

[0006] None of these documents disclose a headset, wherein stereo sound is made available to the right ears of a user independent of the way the set is mounted on the head.

[0007] In an embodiment, the invention comprises a headset having opposed ear phones arranged to be attached at each ear of a user and a microphone suited to capture the user's voice, where the microphone is provided at a distal part of a boom arm, where the boom arm at a proximal part thereof is joined to the headset. Opposed ear phones are connectable to each their audio signal source adapted to provide a right ear audio signal and a left ear audio signal different from the right ear audio signal. The microphone may be muted when the boom arm is raised to a predetermined position, such as an upright position relative to the head of the user, and the boom arm is further mounted to be movable to either side from the upright position. Movement to a position at the first side defines a situation of use whereby the boom arm extends towards the users mouth from the right side of the users head, and movement to a position at the opposed side defines a situation of use whereby the boom arm extends towards the users mouth from the left side of a users head. The non-identical audio signals are served at the opposed ear phones in dependency on whether the microphone boom is moved to a position at the first or at the second side.

[0008] With the headset defined above, the position of the boom arm determines to which of the ear cups the right and left signal is routed. Possibly a gradual transition between a full stereo and a full mono signal is provided during a part of the boom arm movement between an upright position and a position where the boom arm extends towards the mouth. The headset may then be applied to the head of the user without paying attention to which headphone is applied to which ear, but as soon as the user turns the microphone towards his mouth, the headset automatically feeds the right signal to the right side ear cup and the left side signal to the left side ear cup. When the boom arm is turned towards the mouth the movement is registered, and it is determined from this signal at which ear the user wears the boom arm, and the stereo signal is routed to the users right and left ear respectively based on this registration

[0009] The exterior of the headset is preferably symmetric, such that when mounted on the head, the headset has a forward facing portion and a backward facing portion, such that the forward and backward facing potions are identical. This provides for ease of manufacture of the headset.

[0010] In an embodiment the boom arm is pivotally fastened at one ear cup, and position sensors are provided at the boom arm and ear cup and arranged to provide an electrical signal indicative of the relative rotational position between boom arm and ear cup. The electrical signal is communicated to a control element, allowing this element to adjust the signals to the left and right side ear cup where this sidedness is defined by virtue of the rotational position of the boom arm. A gradual adjustment of the signals from a mono signal, wherein both ear cups receives the same signal to a full stereo or 3D signal is provided will be possible with this embodiment.

[0011] In an embodiment a switching devise is provided and adapted to direct non-identical audio signals to each ear cup in a first position thereof and in a second position thereof to reverse the audio signals such that signals previously directed to a right side ear cup is now directed to a left side ear cup and vice versa. Such a switching device constitutes a very simple way of making the position of the boom-arm control which of the two ear cups receives the right side signal and which receives the left side signal.

[0012] In an embodiment a switching device and a flicking element are positioned at the boom arm and the ear cup respectively, such that the state of the switching device is indicative of the position of the boom arm, and where the switching state is electrically communicated to a control element. In this way it is possible for the control element to take into account the signal from the switching element in combination with other parameters and signals in a determination of which ear cup is to receive the left or right side signal and to which extend mono or stereo signals are to be routed to the ear cups.

[0013] In an embodiment of the invention, position sensors comprise a magnetic sensing device and permanently magnetized elements positioned at the boom arm and ear cup respectively, allowing the magnetic sensing device at the one part to register the presence or absence of permanently magnetized elements at the opposed part such presence or absence being indicative of the position of the boom arm. This constitutes a rather well known and simple way of gaining knowledge of the position of the boom arm. Preferably the signal is transmitted to a control device, which then based thereon determines, eg according to an algorithm how the audio signals are to be served at the ear cups.

[0014] In an embodiment the position sensors comprise a light transmitting device and a light sensitive device positioned at the boom arm and ear cup respectively, allowing the light sensing device at the one part to register the presence or absence of light from the opposed part. This signal may well be transferred to a control device as described above.

[0015] Preferably the position sensors comprise a capacitive sensor with the first electrical pole of a capacitor and a second electrical pole of the capacitor positioned at the boom arm and ear cup respectively, allowing size of the electrical capacity to be registered. The capacitance between the two parts is easily made dependent on the relative position of the boom arm with respect to the ear cup at which it is situated, and this capacitance may easily be registered and used as a measure of the angular position of the boom arm.

[0016] Preferably the position sensors comprise a resistance element and a pick up element positioned at the boom arm and ear cup respectively, allowing size of the electrical resistance in the resistance element to be registered. This is a well known potentiometer principle, where the resistance value of the resistance element depends on the position at which the pick-up element touches the resistance element. A very simple and cheep element may be made in this way which may deliver a clear signal to a control element indicative of the relative position between ear cup and boom arm.

[0017] Further, a method of controlling which of a left and a right side ear cup in a headset receives a right side signal and which receives a left side signal is provided. Hereby a movable microphone boom arm on the headset is operable to be turned towards a wearers mouth from either a left side of the wearers head by movement in a first direction relative to the headset or from a right side of the wearers head by movement in a second direction relative to the headset in dependency of the wearers wearing style of the headset, whereby the side to which the microphone boom arm is moved determines to which one of the left and right side ear cup the right and left side signals are provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] 

Fig. 1 discloses a schematic view of a magnet/coils sensor pair,

Fig. 2 is a further configuration of a sensor pair as shown in fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is another configuration of magnet/coil sensor elements,

Fig. 4 is another configuration of magnet/coil sensor elements,

Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of a mechanical switching device coupled to the relative movement between boom arm and ear cup,

Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a potentiometer device inserted between the ear cup and boom arm,

Fig. 7 is a schematic view of a variable capacitor inserted between boom arm and ear cup,

Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of a multitude of switches operated by the boom arm,

Figs. 9, 9a, and 9b are schematic representations of ways to use light in the registration of the boom arm position and

Fig. 10 is a 3d view of the exterior of the headset according to the invention.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0019] A headset 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in its entirety in fig. 10. The headset 1 has opposed ear cups 2,3 arranged to be attached at each ear of a user and in each ear cup one or more loudspeakers, also named ear phones, are provided. In the embodiment shown, a headband 4 is arranged and interconnects the ear cups 2,3. When mounted on a users head, the headband is supposed to extend over the head of the user and provide a small compression force, which presses each ear cup towards a respective one of the user's two ears. This is one of the usual ways of applying ear phones to a user's ears, but other ways of doing this are known in the art, such as use of bands between ear phones extending around the neck or under the chin. Also frames of eye glasses have been suggested for this purpose. Any of these solutions would be useful in performing the invention.

[0020] A microphone 10 suited to capture the users voice is provided. As seen in fig. 10, the microphone 10 is provided at a distal part of a boom arm 11, which at a proximal part thereof is joined to the headset.

[0021] The opposed ear phones are arranged to provide respective non-identical sound signals to each ear. This is named stereo sound, and can give the listener the illusion of sound coming from a specific direction and also originating from a predetermined distance. Also surround sound effects with sounds coming from above or below can be produced with a headset having none- identical sound signals provided to each of the ear phones. The headset is usually wired to a player or other sound signal generating device which could be a computer, a telephone, a MP3 or MP4 player, or an array of microphones. The player device may provide the signals for each ear and these are then served at each ear cup through proprietary wires, or a coded signal such as a digital signal is piped to the headset through wires or wirelessly, and here the signal is un-packed and re-formatted to an analog signal suitable for being served at one or more audio speakers at each ear phone.

[0022] As is known in the art, the microphone 10 is muted when the boom arm is raised to an upright position relative to the head of the user. This is the position in which the boom arm 11 is shown in fig. 10. The boom arm 11 is thus mounted to move to either side from this upright position. The boom arm 11 may then be moved to a position near the user's mouth irrespective of whether the ear cup with the boom arm is place at the left or at the right ear of a user. This symmetrical aspect of the headset is much liked by users, as no need for consideration regarding orienting the headset prior to mounting it on the ears is required.

[0023] Movement to the first side defines a situation of use whereby the boom arm is extending towards the users mouth from the right side of the users head, and movement to a position at the opposed side defines a situation of use whereby the boom arm is extending towards the users mouth from the left side ear of a users head. The non-identical audio signals are routed to the opposed ear phones in dependency of the microphone boom arm position, such that in both positions the user will receive the right ear signal at the headphone being placed at the right ear, and the left ear signal will be routed to the headphone at the left ear.

[0024] In this way the user determines the sidedness of the headset by simply turning the microphone towards his mouth, and it does not matter whether the headset is worn with the microphone boom extending from the right or from the left side of the head.

[0025] In an embodiment of the invention, the headset has a forwardly facing portion and a backwardly facing portion when worn on the head, and the forward and backward facing potions are identical. An example of this is seen in fig. 10.

[0026] As also seen in fig. 10, the boom arm 11 is pivotally fastened at the one ear cup 2. Further, position sensors are provided at the boom arm and ear cup and arranged to provide an electrical signal indicative of the relative rotational position between the boom arm 11 and the ear cup 2. As will be explained in the following, such position sensors may be provided in a number of different ways. The electrical signal which the position sensor generates is communicated to a control element 50.

[0027] A switching devise is provided and adapted to direct non-identical audio signals to each ear cup in a first position thereof and in a second position thereof, to reverse the audio signals such that signals previously directed to a right side ear cup is now directed to a left side ear cup and vice versa.

[0028] In Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a switching device 51 and a flicking element 53 is shown. The boom arm 11 comprises the flicking element 53 at its proximal part. And the ear cup (not disclosed in the figure) holds the switching device 51. This construction allows the state of the switching device 51 to be indicative of the position of the boom arm 11, the switching state is either communicated electrically to a control element (not disclosed in fig. 5, or the switch interacts directly with leads 52 carrying the signal to the right and left ear phone, such that right and left ear signals are reversed according to the position of the switch 51. In the figure the boom arm 11 is provided at a circular part 54, which may rotate to either side as indicated by arrow 55. The circular element 54 may be rotationally fastened to one of the two ear cups.

[0029] In figs. 1 -4 position sensors which comprise a magnetic sensing device 16 and permanently magnetized elements 19 are disclosed. This allows the magnetic sensing device at the one part (the boom arm or headset) to register the presence or absence of permanently magnetized means at the opposed part. This presence or absence will then be indicative of the position of the boom arm.

[0030] In fig. 1 a permanent magnet 19 is provided at the boom arm 11, and when the magnet 19 is rotated past coils 18, 17 which are fixated to the ear cup of the headset. The rotational movement of the boom arm 11 is indicated by arrow 55. An electrical signal is produced in the windings 16 and this signal is routed to a detection, analysis and actuation part 50. This part is either with the headset or with the player, and is responsible for routing the right ear and left ear signal to the respective ear cup in dependency of the received signals from the position sensors.

[0031] In fig. 2 the permanent magnet 22 is associated with an ear cup, whereas the sensing coil 28 is connected to the microphone boom arm 11. In all other respects the device will function as explained with reference to fig. 1.

[0032] A further example of an arrangement of the magnetic sensor and magnet is disclosed in fig. 3. Here the permanent magnet 31 and the sensor coils 38,37 are arranged at the centre of rotation for the rotationally mounted microphone boom arm 11. The permanent magnet is associated with the boom arm 11 and the coils are associated with the ear cup (not shown).

[0033] In fig. 4 a similar arrangement is disclosed, however here only one sensing coil 37 is provided.

[0034] In the above disclosed examples any number of sensing coils and permanent magnets can be used if more resolution is desired. This is usable in devices where a gradual shift from a mono audio signal whereby the same signal is served at both ear cups and to a stereo signal giving the user the best possible stereo effect is performed, in dependency on the angular position of the boom arm 11.

[0035] The coils in the above examples are used for sensing the magnetic field of the permanent magnet, but the skilled artisan knows that there are other ways of sensing the presence of a magnetic field, such as hall sensors or other small sensors commonly used in electronic devices such as hard-discs.

[0036] Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of the boom arm 11 with a rotation resistance 61 being attached thereto. A sensor element 62 is mounted in the ear cup, such that the two elements forms a potentiometer, which has read out in dependency of the angular position of the boom arm 11 with respect to the ear cup. The read out of the resistance, being indicative of the angular position of the boom arm 11 is served at a detection, analysis and actuation part as in the examples shown in figs. 1-4. The potentiometer may be used directly for the switching between stereo and mono signals by feeding the signals directly through one or more such potentiometer devices.

[0037] Fig. 7 shows a device which is very similar to the fig. 6 embodiment, only a variable capacitor 71 is used to measure the angular position of the boom arm 11 with respect t to the headset.

[0038] In fig. 8 a multitude of small switches (not shown) are provided on a rotational part provided with the boom arm 11. The signal from the switching positions are tapped by arm 82, and transferred to the detection, analysis and actuation part 50.

[0039] Schematics of systems for sensing the position of the boom arm by the use of light and a light sensing device is shown in figs. 9, 9a and 10. In fig. 9 a light source 91 and a light sensing device 92 are shown associated with the ear cup. In fig. 9a a light guide 94 is shown which is interposed between the light source 91 and the light sensing means 92, and being associated with the microphone boom arm 11, such that the light passes through this element. The light guide 94 comprises interruptions 93 therein, such that the light will be interrupted at well defined positions of the light guide 94. The slit or interruption 93 in the light guide will interrupt the light path between the light source and the light sensing means when the boom arm 11 is at a predetermined position, such that an interruption of the signal from the light sensing means will be indicative of the boom arm position. As the skilled person knows, interruptions or transmitting and non-transmitting parts of the light guide may be reversed. By providing a multitude of transmitting and non-transmitting parts of the light guide and/or a multitude of light sensing means, the position of the microphone boom arm 11 can be precisely determined. The skilled person would know that the actual arrangement of the light source, the light guide and the light sensing means may be varied in many ways to cause this effect.

[0040] A slightly different possibility is disclosed in fig. 9b, where the light guide comprise a slit 95 of varying width, such that in dependency of the positioning of the slit 95 with respect to light source and light sensing means different signal strength from the light sensing means will be provided.

Claims

1. Headset having opposed ear phones arranged to be attached at each ear of a user and a microphone suited to capture the users voice, where the microphone is provided at a distal part of a boom arm, where the boom arm at a proximal part thereof is joined to the headset, whereby the opposed ear phones are connectable to each their audio signal source adapted to provide a right ear audio signal and a left ear audio signal different from the right ear audio signal, and where the boom arm is mounted to be movable to either side from a predefined position, wherein movement to a position at the first side from the predetermined position defines a situation of use whereby the boom arm extends towards the users mouth from the right side of the users head, and movement to a position at the opposed side of the predetermined position defines a situation of use whereby the boom arm extends towards the users mouth from the left side of a users head, wherein the non-identical audio signals are served at the opposed ear phones in dependency of whether the microphone boom is moved to a positioned at the first or at the second side.

2. Headset as defined in claim 1, wherein the exterior thereof is symmetric, such that when mounted on the head with the boom arm in the predetermined position, the headset has a forward facing portion and a backward facing portion, wherein the forward and backward facing potions are identical.

3. Headset as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein the boom arm is pivotally fastened at one ear cup, and position sensors are provided at the boom arm and ear cop and arranged to provide an electrical signal indicative of the relative rotational position between boom arm and ear cup and wherein this electrical signal is communicated to a control element.

4. Headset as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein a switching devise is provided and adapted to direct non-identical audio signals to each ear cup in a first position thereof and in a second position thereof to reverse the audio signals such that signals previously directed to a right side ear cup is now directed to a left side ear cup and vice versa.

5. Headset as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein a switching device and a flicking element are positioned at the boom arm and the ear cup respectively, such that the state of the switching device is indicative of the position of the boom arm and where the switching state is electrically communicated to a control element.

6. Headset as defined in claim 3, wherein the position sensors comprise a magnetic sensing device and permanently magnetized elements positioned at the boom arm and ear cup respectively, allowing the magnetic sensing device at the one part to register the presence or absence of permanently magnetized means at the opposed part such presence or absence being indicative of the position of the boom arm.

7. Headset as defined in claim 3, wherein the position sensors comprise a light transmitting device and a light sensitive device positioned at the boom arm and ear cup respectively, allowing the light sensing device at the one part to register the presence or absence of light from the opposed part.

8. Headset as defined in claim 3, wherein the position sensors comprise a capacitive sensor with the first electrical pole of a capacitor and a second electrical pole of the capacitor positioned at the boom arm and ear cup respectively, allowing size of the electrical capacity to be registered.

9. Headset as defined in claim 3, wherein the position sensors comprise a resistance element and a pick up element positioned at the boom arm and ear cup respectively, allowing size of the electrical resistance in the resistance element to be registered.

10. Method of controlling which of a left and a right side ear cup in a headset receives a right side signal and which receives a left side signal, whereby a movable microphone boom arm on the headset is operable to be turned towards a wearers mouth from either a left side of the wearers head by movement in a first direction relative to the headset or from a right side of the wearers head by movement in a second direction relative to the headset in dependency of the wearers wearing style of the headset, whereby the side to which the microphone boom arm is moved determines to which one of the left and right side ear cup the right and left side signals are provided.

Drawing