Donned/doffed multimedia file playback control

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for headset wearing mode based operation are presented. A headset system includes a first earbud and a second earbud. One or both earbuds have a detector which indicates whether the earbud is donned or doffed. Operation of the headset is modified based on the donned or doffed status of the earbuds.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 12 / 181,241 filed Jul. 28, 2008, entitled “Donned / Doffed Multimedia File Playback Control”.[0002]The present application is also related to commonly assigned, copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 542,385, filed Oct. 2, 2006, entitled “Donned and Doffed Headset State Detection”, and commonly assigned, copending U.S. patent application. Ser. No. 12 / 181,229, filed on the same day as the present application, entitled “Headset Wearing Mode Based Operation”. The full disclosures of each of these applications are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Users of headsets or headphones often choose not to wear their headset or headphones in an in-the-ears or on-the-ears wearing mode at all times. Instead, users may choose to wear the devices in a body worn stowage mode, such as around their neck, over a shoulder, or elsewhere on the body. As the body-worn ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a system and method for controlling the operation of headsets and headphones based on their wearing mode. The system includes a headset and a detachable earbud that can be coupled or decoupled, and the earbud has a don / doff detector to indicate whether it is worn or not. The system can output a stereo or monaural signal based on whether the earbud is donned or doffed, allowing users to enjoy the benefits of wearing headsets or headphones in a more fashionable way. The technical effects of this system and method include improved control over the playback of multimedia content and improved user experience.

Problems solved by technology

However, in a body worn stowage wearing mode, headset operation has been limited because it is not worn in the traditional in-the-ears or on-the-ears operational mode.

For example, in a body worn stowage wearing mode, a headset ringer is not typically sufficiently loud to hear when played through the ear piece speakers since the ear pieces are not on-the-ears or in-the-ears.

In contrast, if the ringer volume is set at a higher level so that it is sufficiently loud to be heard when worn on the body, it would then be too loud when worn in-the-ears or on-the-ears.

However, for a number of reasons, simultaneous wearing of two ear pieces is not always desirable.

In an office setting, wearing both ear pieces implies the user is unavailable, which may be considered inappropriate.

Furthermore, wearing two ear pieces may interfere with the wearer's capacity to hear outside interrupts such as a desk phone ringing.

However, this may be problematic in that one channel (left or right) of the content is lost.

The loss of one channel may seriously degrade the listening experience where the left and right channel differ, as is the case for stereo signals or other types of processed or multi-channel signals.