Plantronics, Inc.

Barry J Lee

John A Kelley

Timothy Paul Johnston

Jacob T Meyberg

Jacob T Meyberg Guzman

Eric R Bradford

Bradley Yearous

Douglas Kenneth Rosener

James Foster Bobisuthi

Kwangsee Allen Woo

Stephen V Cahill

Steve C Evans

Ching Shyu

A headset is described that utilizes magnetic frictional couplers. A coupler includes a first member having a first engagement surface and a second member having a second engagement surface disposed for relative positioning of the first and second members along a line of adjustment. One or more magnetic elements are arranged on the first and second members to establish a magnetic flux between the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface, and thereby establishing a frictional force tending to hold the relative positions of the first and second members. The magnetic flux varies as a function of relative position of the first and second members along the line of adjustment, and has peaks at a plurality of detent positions along the line of adjustment.

Headset with magnetic frictional coupler

A machine component is formed of a coalesced metal body of multiple zones of material having at least one high hardness surface, along with high yield strength and good thermal conductivity. The coalesced metal body can have a zone of steel and a zone of copper, and have a transition zone in which the zones of steel and copper coalesce. The coalesced metal body has a machined surface on the zone of steel on a first side of the coalesced metal body. The zone of copper has a proximal boundary disposed proximal to, and separated by, the zone of steel, from the machined surface. Also the zone of copper has a distal boundary distal to the machined surface and proximal to a second surface of the coalesced metal body.

High yield strength, low thermal impedance component and manufacturing method

Methods and apparatuses for capacitive sensing are disclosed. In one example, a capacitive sensor includes a floating sense electrode disposed within proximity of an outward facing surface adapted to be brought in proximity to or touch a user skin surface. An interior electrode is disposed in proximity to the floating sense electrode, where the interior electrode and floating sense electrode form a capacitor.

Floating plate capacitive sensor

A system for adjusting an audio setting for a headset, comprises a communications device, a detachable headband containing a detectable element that can be coupled to the communications device, a sensor coupled to the communications device configured to determine whether the headband is coupled to the communications device and a processor configured to adjust the audio setting for the headset to a headband mode when the headband is coupled to the communications device. The processor may also adjust the audio setting of the headset to a non-headband mode based on the sensor detecting the headband being disconnected from the communications device.

Automatic detection of the wearing style of a convertible headset

Methods and apparatuses for acoustic waveguides are disclosed. In one example, a method for constructing an acoustic waveguide includes forming a first acoustic waveguide component having a first outer surface and a first inner surface, where the first inner surface includes a first groove and a second groove. The method includes forming a second acoustic waveguide component having a second outer surface and a second inner surface, where the second inner surface includes a third groove and a fourth groove. The first acoustic waveguide component and the second acoustic waveguide component are bonded together so that the first groove and the third groove are arranged to form a first acoustic channel and the second groove and the fourth groove are arranged to form a second acoustic channel.

Dual acoustic waveguide

A headset comprising a communications device, a sensor coupled to the communications device and operative to detect the proximity of a user's body to the sensor, a detachable ear cushion coupled to the communications device; and wherein the detachable ear cushion comprises a conductive ear cushion flange to be interposed between the sensor and the user's body for extending the detection range of the sensor.

Conductive ear flange for extending the range of a sensor in a communications device

In an earloop headset or earphone or other ear-mounted audio device, a housing is attached to an earloop by providing a ball and complementary socket arrangement between the earloop and a pivot post secured to the housing. The earloop or pivot post are made of an elastomeric material to allow the earloop and pivot post to each be made of a single piece of material and be clipped into engagement after manufacture.

Single piece earloop with corresponding pivot post

A headset apparatus including a virtual keypad and a method for inputting data into a headset are provided. In one embodiment, a headset includes a processor, at least one acoustic transducer, a projector operably coupled to the processor for displaying an image on a surface exterior to the headset, and a position detector operably coupled to the processor for determining an image position and a user finger position.

Projection headset

Base cradle for a communications headset

Mechanisms for providing electrical controls on a rotating assembly such as a cable winding device are disclosed. The cable winding device generally includes an electronic control actuator such as a keycap attached to a housing and providing an actuating pad actuatable via an opening provided in the housing, the housing containing a spool, a circuit component including an electronic control such as a switch actuatable via the actuating pad, and a rotational actuator interface such as a skid pad located over the electronic control to interface between the actuator pad and the electronic control at all rotational orientations of the switch relative to the actuating pad and/or even while the spool is rotating. The circuit component and the skid pad are configured to rotate with the spool relative to the housing. The switch is disposed off of an axis of rotation and may be, for example, an answer/end, on/off, mute, volume, play/stop, rewind/fast forward, and/or enter/accept control. The cable winding apparatus may be incorporated in a headset system.

Cable winding device with clocked keycap and revolving electrical switch

Cradle for communications headset

A system and method for small built-in antennas that can be incorporated into short range communication devices such as cordless headsets are disclosed. The antenna is a built-in bifurcated inverted F antenna. The antenna generally includes two signal radiating and receiving arms of substantially equal electrical length extending generally parallel to each other along a longitudinal length of the antenna, the arms defining an opening therebetween extending along the longitudinal length of the antenna, a signal component in communication with the two arms for transmitting and receiving signals between the two arms and a signal contact of the wireless communication device, and a grounding component in contact with a grounding plane for grounding the antenna. The antenna may include an extension sloped relative to the grounding plane and extending between the grounding component and the arms to minimize the profile of the antenna. The wireless device may further include a printed circuit board onto which the antenna is secured. The device may also include a control in communication with the printed circuit board and extends through the opening between the two arms such that the control is symmetrically arranged relative to the two arms, approximately on a center line extending the longitudinal length of the device. The antenna is optionally tuned for a 1900 MHz or a 2400 MHz frequency band.

Bifurcated inverted F antenna

An improved boom adapted for use in or with a headset is disclosed. The boom generally comprises a voice tube having a first entry aperture, a light tube, and a noise reducer. The noise reducer is composed at least partially of a porous plastic material and partially or fully covers the voice tube, the noise canceling tube, and/or the light tube.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Cruz, CA, United States of America

Barry J Lee