Gaming headset with programmable audio paths
View Patent ↗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:
a signal processor;
a memory operable to store a plurality of presets, each preset comprising one or more signal-processing parameter settings that determine the manner in which an audio signal will be altered by the signal processor; and
an input operable to receive a control signal for selecting and activating a preset from the plurality of presets stored in the memory such that one or more sound characteristic of the audio signal is modified in accordance with the parameter settings in the selected preset, wherein the control signal comprises one or more tones, wherein the selection of a preset can be made by decoding the one or more tones, the one or more tones being embedded within the audio track of a game and transmitted to the headset via an audio path connected to the headset, thereby enabling the selected preset to change in accordance with the decoding of the tones.
2. The headset system of claim 1 , wherein the headset system comprises:
a data port connection operable to receive one or more signal-processing parameter settings that can be stored in the memory as a preset in the plurality of presets.
3. The headset system of claim 1 , wherein the signal processor is located in a headset.
4. The headset system of claim 1 , wherein a preset 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 connected to a headset either wirelessly or via a data cable.
6. The headset system of claim 1 , wherein the selection of a preset can be made 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. The headset system of claim 1 , wherein the selection of a preset can be made without any user interaction.
8. The headset system of claim 1 , wherein the selection of a preset can be made by speaking into the headset microphone and having a speech recognition device decode the voice command for selecting the preset.
9. The headset system of claim 1 , wherein the parameters in the signal processor may be displayed and edited 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.
14. The headset system of 1 , wherein the headset system comprises a frequency-limited volume expander comprising 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 the one or more sound characteristic of one or more audio signals in the plurality of audio signals;
a memory operable to store a plurality of presets, each preset comprising one or more parameters that determine the operation of the signal processor; and
an input operable to receive a control signal that selects a preset from the plurality of presets stored in memory, wherein the control signal comprises one or more tones embedded within the audio track of a game, the signal processor being operable to decode the one or more tones, the preset selection being in accordance with the decoded 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.