Headphone system for computer gaming
A gaming unit and producing a game-audio output of a varying volume level and a chat-voice output is connected to headphones adapted to be worn by a player of the unit and connected to the gaming unit for making the chat-voice output and the game-audio output audible to the player. A circuit or software associated with the headphones can increase the chat-voice volume level generally proportionately to the game-audio volume level.
1. A headphone system, the headphone system comprising:
a microphone operable to generate a voice signal according to a user's voice;
a speaker operable to output a game signal, a chat signal and a microphone monitor signal, wherein the microphone monitor signal comprises a portion of the voice signal; and
a volume control device operable according to an adjustment of a game/chat balance, wherein the game/chat balance is operable to enable and disable the microphone monitor signal, and wherein control of a volume of the enabled microphone monitor signal is independent of the game/chat balance.
2. The headphone system of claim 1 , wherein the volume control device is an analog circuit.
3. The headphone system of claim 1 , wherein the volume control device is a signal processor.
4. The headphone system of claim 1 , wherein the volume control device comprises a plastic puck.
5. The headphone system of claim 1 , wherein a game/chat balance is provided by an independently-controlled volume of the voice signal and an independently-controlled volume of the chat signal.
6. The headphone system of claim 1 , wherein the volume of the enabled microphone monitor signal is controlled by software with an interface in an external device.
7. The headphone system of claim 1 , wherein when the headphone system is not operably coupled to a source of the chat signal, the voice signal is not operably coupled to the volume control device.
8. The headphone system of claim 1 , wherein when the headphone system is not operably coupled to a source of the chat signal, the voice signal is not operably coupled to the speaker.
9. The headphone system of claim 1 , wherein when the headphone system is not operably coupled to a source of the chat signal, the microphone monitor signal is not operably coupled to the speaker.
10. The headphone system of claim 1 , wherein when the speaker is operably coupled to the microphone monitor signal, the microphone is switchably muted according to the game/chat balance.
11. A headphone system, the headphone system comprising:
a microphone operable to generate a voice signal according to a user's voice;
a plurality of speakers operable to output a game signal, a chat signal and a microphone monitor signal, wherein the microphone monitor signal comprises a portion of the voice signal; and
a volume control device operable according to an adjustment of a game/chat balance, wherein the game/chat balance is operable to enable and disable the microphone monitor signal, and wherein control of a volume of the enabled microphone monitor signal is independent of the game/chat balance.
12. The headphone system of claim 11 , wherein the volume control device is an analog circuit.
13. The headphone system of claim 11 , wherein the volume control device is a signal processor.
14. The headphone system of claim 11 , wherein the volume control device comprises a plastic puck.
15. The headphone system of claim 11 , wherein a game/chat balance is provided by an independently-controlled volume of the voice signal and an independently-controlled volume of the chat signal.
16. The headphone system of claim 11 , wherein the volume of the enabled microphone monitor signal is controlled by software with an interface in an external device.
17. The headphone system of claim 11 , wherein when the headphone system is not operably coupled to a source of the chat signal, the voice signal is not operably coupled to the volume control device.
18. The headphone system of claim 11 , wherein when the headphone system is not operably coupled to a source of the chat signal, the voice signal is not operably coupled to the plurality of speakers.
19. The headphone system of claim 11 , wherein when the headphone system is not operably coupled to a source of the chat signal, the microphone monitor signal is not operably coupled to the plurality of speakers.
20. The headphone system of claim 11 , wherein when the plurality of speakers is operably coupled to the microphone monitor signal, the microphone is switchably muted according to the game/chat balance.