Portable audio devices

• US 20010050991A1
• Filed: 05/18/2001
• Published: 12/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.), US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Eves, David A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,251,332 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/11
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/005 with embedded cable or connector
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 31/00 Arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus with cameras or projectors G03B31/00 ; recording/reproducing of music for electrophonic musical instruments G10H1/0033; automatic arrangements for answering calls or for recording messages for absent subscribers H04M1/64; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with dictation recording and playback systems H04M11/10; connection of TV recorder with other related apparatus, e.g. TV camera or receiver, in which the TV signal is significantly involved H04N, e.g. H04N23/00, H04N5/765; combination of radio or TV with other apparatus, e.g. with vehicles H05K11/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/273 Adaptation for carrying or wearing by persons or animals
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3855 carried in a belt or harness
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/05 specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/023 Transducers incorporated in garment, rucksacks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/023 in a chair, pillow

Abstract

The components of a portable personal audio system include first and second audio signal source devices, such as an MP3 player (14) and telephone (16). These are connected via respective leads (12) to a control and switching stage (22), and from there to left and right audio output devices (26). User input to effect operation of the control and switching stage (22) selectively directs audio signals from one or both of the signal source devices (14, 16) to a selected one or ones of the left and right audio output devices (26).

Claims

1. A portable personal audio system comprising first and second audio signal source devices linked via a control and switching stage to left and right audio output devices, the control and switching stage being user operable to selectively direct audio signals from one or both of the signal source devices to a selected one or ones of the left and right audio output devices.

2. An audio system as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein one of said audio signal source devices outputs a stereo pair of signals, with the control and switching stage being user operable to direct respective ones of the stereo pair of signals to respective ones of the left and right audio output devices.

3. An audio system as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein one of said audio signal source devices outputs a stereo pair of signals, with the control and switching stage being user operable to combine the stereo pair of signals to a mono signal and output the same to a selected one or ones of the left and right audio output devices.

4. An audio system as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein one of said audio signal source devices comprises a portable telecommunications apparatus.

5. An audio system as claimed in

claim 4

, wherein said control and switching stage is configured to identify when the portable telecommunications apparatus receives an incoming call and, in response, to set up a predetermined pattern of audio signal directions to selected one or ones of the left and right audio output devices.

6. An audio system as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein said control and switching stage is further configured for user operation to alter the output volume of one or more audio signals received.

7. A garment comprising a portable audio system as claimed in

claim 1

.

8. A garment as claimed in

claim 7

, said garment comprising a fabric shell hosting one or more electrical conductors the or each of which is connectable to at least one of a plurality of electronic devices, including said first and second audio signal source devices, housed in respective pockets of said fabric shell.

9. A garment as claimed in

claim 8

, having externally mounted user-operable control devices connected to and controlling operation of said control and switching means.

10. A garment as claimed in

claim 7

, wherein said left and right audio output devices are respective earphones, the connecting wire to which is at least partially concealed within the fabric construction of the garment.

11. A garment as claimed in

claim 8

, wherein the or each of said electrical devices is removably attached to said fabric shell.