BLUETOOTH® HEADSET INFORMATION
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What is it? A Bluetooth headset is an audio accessory for your Bluetooth enabled mobile phone or PC (using VoIP). Unlike traditional headsets that are connected to these devices with a wire, a |  |
The headset itself Pairs and Connects wirelessly to your mobile phone or PC using Bluetooth. Bluetooth is an open specification for wireless communication of data and voice, based on a low-cost, short-range radio link facilitating protected ad hoc connections for stationary and mobile communication environments. This means that the Bluetooth technology wirelessly communicates between your headset and device via radio link. There are many profiles within the Bluetooth Specification, however almost all Bluetooth headsets use this hands-free profile. Most Bluetooth devices have a range of 30 feet (10 meters) and use a rechargeable battery.
What should my design include?Your design should be ergonomic, stylish and functional. A great design is a delicate balance of style and utility.
A headset is worn by the user for long periods of time (usually 1 hour or more), so the design needs to be comfortable for the wearer.
Headsets are becoming more of a fashion statement every day, which means your headset should be aesthetically appealing to the users. As a body-worn device, the headset is considered a piece of jewelry – very much reflecting the owners’ style.
Your design should include the following components:
- Light indicator
- 1 or 2 microphone ports
- Two are ideal to capture a users’ voice, however 1 would suffice. The mics need to be open to the air to receive sounds waves, but not necessarily visible to a passer-by. At the same time the mics need to be closer to the users’ mouth to receive more sound and perform better.
- Speaker port
- Ear tip (optional)
- Ear hook (optional)
- nXZEN™ logo
- Multi-purpose port/connector for charging or programming
- A plug inlet is an example of a charging port.
- Volume Control button(s) (optional) –
- 1 or more multi-function buttons
- These buttons are used to control the headset. They include 1 for call functions, and 1 or 2 for volume control. More buttons can offer more features but add complexity to the customer.
- Include what texture or materials you would use
- Include what visual cues you would use
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This port generates your caller’s voice and directs it towards
the users’ ear.
Cues such as LCD displays help the customer use the device and show outsiders when they are on a call.
What restrictions/limitations/ should my design consider?
SizeA headset is worn on the users’ head and ear. Designing a heavy headset 5 inches too long compromises comfort. A headset as small as an eraser with a microphone too far from the users’ mouth affects how well the caller can hear them. The design should be a size that can balance and secure properly on a users’ ear and does not compromise the headset’s performance.
Battery ShapeThe headset comes with a rechargeable square to rectangular shaped battery (unlike the typical cylinder shaped batteries).
Usage
What’s important to remember when I use my Bluetooth headset?Headsets are designed to make life easier. Here are several things you want to consider in order to design a practical and user-friendly device:
User Interface...The multi-function buttons should be easy to find and press. However, they should not be too easy to press that they will accidentally activate, or too large so it over powers the design. Also, the user must have an audible and visual indication than an action has or is about to occur. These actions include an incoming call or voice message.
Easy Application...While some wear their headset all day long, others prefer to use it only when making or receiving a call, so the design should be easy to put on and take off.
Think about the perfect headset you would want to use/ wear, and then design it.
Generally, the design that incorporates the mandatory components, considers the Restrictions and Usage elements, and is the most comfortable and stylish will have a greater chance of winning this competition.
Good luck to all applicants!
Additional Information
Bluetooth itself is an open wireless standard originally developed in partnership between Scandinavian mobile phone makers and appropriately named after an ancient Danish Viking: Bluetooth. If both the headset and audio device support the Bluetooth Standard they can communicate, hence a spirit of open communication between equipment from different vendors is created. While Bluetooth can also be used to send data, the transmission and reception of audio between a Headset and Cell Phone remains the #1 application today.
Bluetooth rides upon the free worldwide 2.4GHz frequency band to communicate bidirectionally with another device. Its focus is low power, generating 10to100-times-less RF emissions than a typical cell phone antenna. This is important, not only to enhance battery life, but to safeguard customers wearing their headset throughout the day.
A Bluetooth connection is setup in 2 steps: Pairing and Connecting. Pairing involves the exchange of a PIN code between two devices so that only trusted and encrypted connections are made between your equipment. This step is performed once per device. Connecting involves activating the Bluetooth signal – i.e. making a phone call, or receiving a ring tone. This occurs frequently and is usually automatic but sometimes requires user intervention.