Earpiece/microphone (headset) servicing multiple incoming audio streams

Abstract

The present invention provides a modular wireless headset with which to service multiple incoming audio streams. This modular wireless headset includes a wireless microphone and wireless earpiece. The wireless earpiece may exchange radio frequency (RF) signals with a base unit and render content contained within the exchanged RF signals to a user. This wireless earpiece further includes a wireless interface, a processor, a speaker, a user interface, and an authentication module. The wireless interface allows the earpiece to wirelessly communicate with the base unit. The processor recovers communications exchanged with the base unit that the speaker then renders audible. A user interface coupled to the processor may alert the user to any additional incoming audio communications. Having received the alert, the user may select between the communications. The authentication module allows the wireless earpiece and microphone to pair (forming the modular wireless headset) and register the headset with the base unit.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A wireless headset, comprising:
 a wireless interface circuitry that is operative to support first audio communications and second audio communications provided from a base unit; and   a user interface circuitry, coupled to the wireless interface circuitry, that is operative to receive user input; and wherein:   based on the user input, the wireless headset is operative to service both the first audio communications and the second audio communications provided from the base unit.   
     
     
         3 . The wireless headset of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a processing circuitry that is coupled to the wireless interface circuitry and the user interface circuitry; and   an audio output circuitry that is coupled to the processing circuitry; and wherein:   based on the user input, the processing circuitry is operative to combine the first audio communications and second audio communications; and   the audio output circuitry is operative to output the combined first audio communications and second audio communications.   
     
     
         4 . The wireless headset of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first audio communications includes a music stream provided uni-directionally from the base unit to the wireless headset; and   the second audio communications includes voice communications corresponding to a call associated with at least one additional user.   
     
     
         5 . The wireless headset of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a processing circuitry, coupled to the wireless interface circuitry and the user interface circuitry; and   an audio output circuitry that is coupled to the processing circuitry; and wherein:   based on the user input, the processing circuitry is operative to:
 adjust a volume of the music stream; and 
 combine the volume-adjusted music stream and the voice communications thereby generating modified voice communications; and 
   the audio output circuitry is operative to output the modified voice communications.   
     
     
         6 . The wireless headset of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first audio communications includes a music stream provided uni-directionally from the base unit to the wireless headset;   the second audio communications correspond to a call associated with at least one additional user; and   based on the user input, the wireless headset is operative to deny the call associated with the at least one additional user and to continue to service the music stream provided uni-directionally from the base unit to the wireless headset.   
     
     
         7 . The wireless headset of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first audio communications includes a music stream provided uni-directionally from the base unit to the wireless headset;   the second audio communications correspond to a call associated with at least one additional user; and   based on the user input, the wireless headset is operative to service the call associated with the at least one additional user and to mute the music stream provided uni-directionally from the base unit to the wireless headset.   
     
     
         8 . The wireless headset of  claim 7 , wherein:
 based on at least one additional user input, the wireless headset is operative to terminate the call associated with the at least one additional user and to un-mute the music stream provided uni-directionally from the base unit to the wireless headset.   
     
     
         9 . The wireless headset of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first audio communications includes a music stream provided uni-directionally from the base unit to the wireless headset;   the second audio communications correspond to a call associated with at least one additional user; and   based on the user input, the wireless headset is operative to service the call associated with the at least one additional user and to direct the base unit to pause the music stream provided uni-directionally from the base unit to the wireless headset.   
     
     
         10 . The wireless headset of  claim 9 , wherein:
 based on at least one additional user input, the wireless headset is operative to terminate the call associated with the at least one additional user and to direct the base unit to resume the music stream provided uni-directionally from the base unit to the wireless headset.   
     
     
         11 . The wireless headset of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a processing circuitry, coupled to the wireless interface circuitry and the user interface circuitry; and wherein:   the user interface circuitry is operative to receive user input composed of voice commands and to generate an electrical signal that corresponds to the voice commands; and   the processing circuitry is operative to perform voice recognition on the electrical signal to ascertain a user command therein.   
     
     
         12 . A wireless headset, comprising:
 a wireless interface circuitry that is operative to support first audio communications and second audio communications provided from a base unit; and   a user interface circuitry, coupled to the wireless interface circuitry, that is operative to receive user input;   a processing circuitry, coupled to the wireless interface circuitry and the user interface circuitry; and   an audio output circuitry that is coupled to the processing circuitry; and wherein:   based on the user input, the wireless headset is operative to service both the first audio communications and the second audio communications provided from the base unit; and   based on the user input, the audio output circuitry is operative selectively to output at least one of the first audio communications and second audio communications.   
     
     
         13 . The wireless headset of  claim 12 , wherein:
 based on the user input, the processing circuitry is operative to combine the first audio communications and second audio communications; and   the audio output circuitry is operative to output the combined first audio communications and second audio communications.   
     
     
         14 . The wireless headset of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the first audio communications includes a music stream provided uni-directionally from the base unit to the wireless headset; and   the second audio communications includes voice communications corresponding to a call associated with at least one additional user.   
     
     
         15 . The wireless headset of  claim 14 , wherein:
 based on the user input, the processing circuitry is operative to:
 adjust a volume of the music stream; and 
 combine the volume-adjusted music stream and the voice communications thereby generating modified voice communications; and 
   the audio output circuitry is operative to output the modified voice communications.   
     
     
         16 . The wireless headset of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the first audio communications includes a music stream provided uni-directionally from the base unit to the wireless headset;   the second audio communications correspond to a call associated with at least one additional user; and   based on the user input, the wireless headset is operative to deny the call associated with the at least one additional user and to continue to service the music stream provided uni-directionally from the base unit to the wireless headset.   
     
     
         17 . The wireless headset of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the user interface circuitry is operative to receive user input composed of voice commands and to generate an electrical signal that corresponds to the voice commands; and   the processing circuitry is operative to perform voice recognition on the electrical signal to ascertain a user command therein.   
     
     
         18 . A method for operating a wireless headset, comprising:
 employing a wireless interface circuitry to support first audio communications and second audio communications provided from a base unit;   receiving user input via a user interface circuitry; and   based on the user input, servicing both the first audio communications and the second audio communications provided from the base unit.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 based on the user input, combining the first audio communications and second audio communications; and   outputting the combined first audio communications and second audio communications via an audio output circuitry.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the first audio communications includes a music stream provided uni-directionally from the base unit to the wireless headset; and   the second audio communications correspond to a call associated with at least one additional user.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 based on the user input, servicing the call associated with the at least one additional user and directing the base unit to pause the music stream provided uni-directionally from the base unit to the wireless headset; and   based on at least one additional user input, terminating the call associated with the at least one additional user and directing the base unit to resume the music stream provided uni-directionally from the base unit to the wireless headset.