Gaming headset with programmable audio paths

Abstract

A headset having game, chat and microphone audio signals is provided with a programmable signal processor for individually modifying the audio signals and a memory configured to store a plurality of user-selectable signal-processing parameter settings that determine the manner in which the audio signals will be altered by the signal processor. The parameter settings collectively form a preset, and one or more user-operable controls can select and activate a preset from the plurality of presets stored in memory. The parameters stored in the selected preset can be loaded into the signal processor such that the sound characteristics of the audio paths are modified in accordance with the parameter settings in the selected preset.

1 . A headset system comprising:
 signal processor operable to detect a tone in an audio track, a sound characteristic of the audio signal being modified in accordance with the detected tone.   
     
     
         2 . The headset system of  claim 1 , wherein the headset system comprises:
 a data port connection operable to receive one or more settings that control the modification of the audio signal.   
     
     
         3 . The headset system of  claim 1 , wherein the signal processor is located in a headset. 
     
     
         4 . The headset system of  claim 1 , wherein the modification of the audio signal may be selected with controls located on an external control device connected via a wire or wirelessly to a headset. 
     
     
         5 . The headset system of  claim 1 , wherein the signal processor is operably controlled by an external device wirelessly connected to a headset. 
     
     
         6 . The headset system of  claim 1 , wherein the modification of the audio signal is determined by a set of buttons, one of which is used to switch between a plurality of presets and another of which is used as a master preset, thereby enabling a user to alternate between the two selected presets by pressing the master preset button. 
     
     
         7 . 
     
     
         8 . The headset system of  claim 1 , wherein the modification of the audio signal is determined by speech recognition. 
     
     
         9 . The headset system of  claim 1 , wherein the modification of the audio signal is programmed with a computer. 
     
     
         10 . The headset system of  claim 1 , wherein the signal processor is reprogrammable. 
     
     
         11 . The headset system of  claim 1 , wherein the signal processor comprises a plurality of signal paths, wherein each signal path in the plurality of signal paths includes a noise gate to remove undesired sounds whose amplitude is below a preset threshold, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the audio path. 
     
     
         12 . The headset system of  claim 1 , wherein the headset system comprises a volume limiter incorporating a variable threshold level to limit the maximum volume level sent to the speakers such that it does not exceed a predetermined amplitude. 
     
     
         13 . The headset system of  claim 1 , wherein the headset system comprises a sound storage device that announces prerecorded messages in accordance with the detected tone. 
     
     
         14 . The headset system of  1 , wherein the headset system comprises a frequency-limited volume expander having;
 a variable gain amplifier with adjustable threshold, the variable gain amplifier being operable to increase the sound level of the audio signal in a frequency range without affecting the sound level of the audio signal outside of the frequency range.   
     
     
         15 . The headset system of  claim 1 , wherein the audio signal comprises one of a game audio signal, a chat audio signal and a microphone audio signal. 
     
     
         16 . The headset system in  claim 1 , wherein the control signal is generated by a video game. 
     
     
         17 . A headset operable to receive a plurality of audio signals from a device, wherein the headset comprises:
 a signal processor operable to modify one or more sound characteristic of an audio signal; and   an input operable to receive a control signal that determines the modification, the control signal comprising one or more embedded tones.   
     
     
         18 . The headset in  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of audio signals comprises a game audio signal, a chat audio signal and a microphone audio signal. 
     
     
         19 . The headset in  claim 17 , wherein the control signal is a wireless signal. 
     
     
         20 . The headset in  claim 17 , wherein the control signal is generated by a video game. 
     
     
         21 . The headset in  claim 17 , wherein the control signal is decoded from the audio signal.