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.

1 . A headset system comprising:
 a first earbud system comprising:
 a first detector providing a first detector output indicating a first earbud donned condition or a first earbud doffed condition; and 
 a first speaker; 
   a second earbud system comprising:
 a second detector providing a second detector output indicating a second earbud donned condition or a second earbud doffed condition; and 
 a second speaker; 
   a microphone;   a memory storing a headset controller application; and   a processor for executing the headset controller application, wherein the headset controller application processes an audio signal for output to a user responsive to the first detector output and/or the second detector output.   
     
     
         2 . The headset system of  claim 1 , wherein a gain of the audio signal is modified responsive to the first detector output and/or the second detector output. 
     
     
         3 . The headset system of  claim 1 , wherein a frequency equalization of the audio signal is modified responsive to the first detector output and/or the second detector output. 
     
     
         4 . The headset system of  claim 3 , wherein the frequency equalization of the audio signal is modified by boosting the bass frequencies of the audio signal. 
     
     
         5 . The headset system of  claim 1 , wherein a routing of the audio signal to the first speaker, the second speaker, or both the first speaker and speaker signal is switched responsive to the first detector output and/or the second detector output. 
     
     
         6 . The headset system of  claim 1 , wherein the first speaker comprises a first in-the-ear speaker and the second speaker comprises a second-in-the-ear speaker, and the headset first earbud system further comprises a first out-of-the-ear speaker and the second earbud system further comprises a second out-of-the-ear speaker. 
     
     
         7 . The headset system of  claim 6 , wherein a routing of the audio signal to the first in-the-ear speaker, the second in-the ear speaker, the first out-of-the ear speaker, and the second out-of-the-ear speaker is switched responsive to the first detector output and/or the second detector output. 
     
     
         8 . The headset system of  claim 1 , wherein the first detector and second detector are selected from the group comprising an infra-red detector, a pyroelectric sensor, a capacitance circuit, a micro-switch, an inductive proximity switch, a skin resistance sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, and an acoustic seal detector. 
     
     
         9 . The headset system of  claim 1 , wherein the audio signal comprises one selected from the group comprising a ringer signal, an earcon signal, a voice communication signal, and a music signal. 
     
     
         10 . A headset system comprising:
 a first earbud system comprising:
 a first detector providing a first detector output indicating a first earbud donned condition or a first earbud doffed condition; and 
 a first speaker; 
   a second earbud system comprising:
 a second detector providing a second detector output indicating a second earbud donned condition or a second earbud doffed condition; and 
 a second speaker; 
   a microphone;   a memory storing a headset controller application;   a processor for executing the headset controller application, wherein the headset controller application activates or deactivates operation of a headset component responsive to the first detector output and/or the second detector output.   
     
     
         11 . The headset system of  claim 10 , wherein the headset component comprises the microphone, the first speaker, or the second speaker. 
     
     
         12 . A headset system comprising:
 a first earbud system comprising:
 a first detector providing a first detector output indicating a first earbud donned condition or a first earbud doffed condition; and 
 a first speaker; 
   a second earbud system comprising:
 a second detector providing a second detector output indicating a second earbud donned condition or a second earbud doffed condition; and 
 a second speaker; 
   a microphone;   a memory storing a headset controller application;   a processor for executing the headset controller application, wherein the headset controller application automates user interface actions responsive to the first detector output and/or the second detector output.   
     
     
         13 . The headset system of  claim 12 , wherein a call answer command is automated when the first detector output or second detector output indicate a donned condition. 
     
     
         14 . The headset system of  claim 12 , wherein device state data output to a user is automated when the first detector output or the second detector output indicates a donned condition. 
     
     
         15 . The headset system of  claim 12 , wherein a playback pause command is automated when the first detector output or second detector output indicated a doffed condition. 
     
     
         16 . A method for operating a headset or headphone comprising a first earbud system and
 a second earbud system, the method comprising:   outputting a first detector output, the first detector output indicating a first earbud system donned condition or a first earbud system doffed condition;   outputting a second detector output, the second detector output indicating a second earbud system donned condition or a second earbud system doffed condition;   processing an audio signal responsive to the first detector output and/or the second detector output.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein processing the audio signal responsive to the first detector output and/or the second detector output comprises modifying a gain of the audio signal. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein processing the audio signal responsive to the first detector output and/or the second detector output comprises modifying a frequency equalization of the audio signal. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein processing the audio signal responsive to the first detector output and/or the second detector output comprises switching a routing of the audio signal to a first earbud system speaker, a second earbud system speaker, or both the first earbud system speaker and second earbud system speaker. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein processing the audio signal responsive to the first detector output and/or the second detector output comprises switching a routing of the audio signal from a first earbud system in-the-ear speaker or a second earbud system in-the-ear speaker to a first earbud system out-of-the-ear speaker or a second earbud system out-of-the ear speaker. 
     
     
         21 . A method for operating a headset or headphone comprising a first earbud system and
 second earbud system, the method comprising:   outputting a first detector output, the first detector output indicating a first earbud system donned condition or a first earbud system doffed condition;   outputting a second detector output, the second detector output indicating a second earbud system donned condition or a second earbud system doffed condition;   activating or deactivating operation of a headset component responsive to the first detector output and/or the second detector output.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the headset component comprises a microphone. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the headset component comprises a speaker. 
     
     
         24 . A method for operating a headset comprising a first earbud system and second earbud
 system, the method comprising:   providing a headset comprising a first earbud system and a second earbud system;   outputting a first detector output, the first detector output indicating a first earbud system donned condition or a first earbud system doffed condition;   outputting a second detector output, the second detector output indicating a second earbud system donned condition or a second earbud system doffed condition;   automating a user interface action responsive to the first detector output and/or the second detector output.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein automating a user interface action comprises automating a call answer command upon receipt of a call when the first detector output or second detector output indicate a donned condition or a transition from a doffed condition to a donned condition. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein automating a user interface action comprises automating device state data output when the first detector output or second detector output indicate a donned condition. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein automating a user interface action comprises automating a playback pause command upon receipt of a call when the first detector output or second detector output indicate a donned condition.