Headset and method for operating a headset
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 headset, the headset comprising:
a pair of speakers operable to output sound according to one or more of a game signal, a chat signal and a microphone monitor signal;
a speaker volume controller operable to adjust an output level of the pair of speakers;
a circuit operable to combine the chat signal and the game signal; and
a microphone operable to receive an audible signal from a user, wherein:
the microphone monitor signal represents the audible signal from the user, and
a level of the microphone monitor signal is operably controlled independently from the game signal and the chat signal.
2. The headset of claim 1 , wherein the speaker volume controller comprises an analog circuit.
3. The headset of claim 1 , wherein the speaker volume controller comprises a signal processor.
4. The headset of claim 1 , wherein the speaker volume controller comprises a plastic puck.
5. The headset of claim 1 , wherein the circuit is operable to mute the chat signal.
6. The headset of claim 1 , wherein the level of the microphone monitor signal is controlled by software via an interface in a game console.
7. The headset of claim 1 , wherein when the user's voice is below a threshold, the microphone monitor signal is automatically muted.
8. The headset of claim 1 , wherein when the chat signal is below a threshold, the chat signal is automatically muted.
9. The headset of claim 1 , wherein the headset is operably coupled wirelessly to a game console.
10. The headset of claim 1 , wherein the microphone is selectably muted.
11. The headset of claim 1 , wherein the headset comprises a circuit operable to spatially process the game signal to position sound around a head of the user.
12. The headset of claim 1 , wherein the headset comprises a circuit operable to spatially process the chat signal to position sound around a head of the user.
13. The headset of claim 1 , wherein the headset comprises a wireless receiver compatible with a Microsoft Xbox™ console.
14. The headset of claim 1 , wherein the game signal is from a Microsoft Xbox™ console.
15. The headset of claim 1 , wherein the chat signal is from a personal computing device.
16. A method for operating a headset, the method comprising:
receiving, via a receiver, a game signal and a chat signal;
receiving, via a microphone, an audible signal from a user;
generating, via a microphone, a microphone monitor signal according to the audible signal from the user;
outputting sound, via a pair of speakers, according to one or more of the game signal, the chat signal and the microphone monitor signal;
adjusting an output level of the pair of speakers via a speaker volume controller;
combing the chat signal and the game signal; and
adjusting a level of the microphone monitor signal independently from the game signal and the chat signal.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the speaker volume controller comprises an analog circuit.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the speaker volume controller comprises a signal processor.
19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the speaker volume controller comprises a plastic puck.
20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the method comprises selectably muting the chat signal.
21. The method of claim 16 , wherein the method comprises adjusting the level of the microphone monitor signal via a software interface of a game console.
22. The method of claim 16 , wherein the method comprises automatically muting the microphone monitor signal when the user's voice is below a threshold.
23. The method of claim 16 , wherein the method comprises automatically muting the chat signal when the chat signal is below a threshold.
24. The method of claim 16 , wherein the receiver is a wireless receiver.
25. The method of claim 16 , wherein the method comprises selectably muting the microphone.
26. The method of claim 16 , wherein the method comprises spatially processing the game signal to position sound around a head of the user.
27. The method of claim 16 , wherein the method comprises spatially processing the chat signal to position sound around a head of the user.
28. The method of claim 16 , wherein the wireless receiver is compatible with a Microsoft Xbox™ console.
29. The method of claim 16 , wherein the game signal is from a Microsoft Xbox™ console.
30. The method of claim 16 , wherein the chat signal is from a personal computing device.