Optically driven audio system
First Claim
1. An audio system comprising:
- a. an earplug adapted for mounting on or within an ear, the earplug including;
(1) an earplug optoelectric transducer providing electrical output upon receipt of light input; and
(2) an earplug electroacoustic transducer coupled to the earplug optoelectric transducer, the earplug electroacoustic transducer providing acoustic output upon receipt of electrical input;
b. an earmuff with an earmuff interior sized for fitting over an ear which bears the earplug, the earmuff interior including an earmuff driver light situated therein;
wherein the earmuff driver light may be actuated to transmit light to the earplug optoelectric transducer, in turn generating an acoustic output from the earplug electroacoustic transducer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An audio system includes an earplug with a speaker to deliver sound to the ear, and/or a microphone which captures sound in the ear canal, and an earmuff is worn over the earplug. The earplug receives sound signals from the earmuff (and/or transmits captured sound signals to the earmuff) by translating such sound signals into light signals which are transmitted over a free space situated between the earmuff and earplug. The light signals are then received at the earplug and/or earmuff and converted to electrical signals which may be further transmitted (e.g., from the earmuff to some external communications device) or converted to sound (e.g., in the earplug by having the electrical signals drive an earplug speaker). If power is required by the earplug, the need for on-board power sources may be avoided by converting light transmitted from the earmuff into power at the earplug. Electrical shock and physical snag hazards are avoided, and the earmuff is easily put on and removed, owing to the lack of wires or other physical connections between the earplug and earmuff. Additionally, by avoiding wires or radio transmission between the earplug and earmuff, electromagnetic interference may be reduced.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An audio system comprising:
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a. an earplug adapted for mounting on or within an ear, the earplug including;
(1) an earplug optoelectric transducer providing electrical output upon receipt of light input; and
(2) an earplug electroacoustic transducer coupled to the earplug optoelectric transducer, the earplug electroacoustic transducer providing acoustic output upon receipt of electrical input;
b. an earmuff with an earmuff interior sized for fitting over an ear which bears the earplug, the earmuff interior including an earmuff driver light situated therein;
wherein the earmuff driver light may be actuated to transmit light to the earplug optoelectric transducer, in turn generating an acoustic output from the earplug electroacoustic transducer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An audio system comprising:
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a. an earplug adapted for mounting on or within an ear, the earplug including;
(1) an earplug acoustoelectric transducer, the earplug electroacoustic transducer providing electrical output upon receipt of acoustic input;
(2) an earplug driver light coupled to the earplug electroacoustic transducer and generating light in response to acoustic input therein;
b. an earmuff with an earmuff interior sized for fitting over the earplug, the earmuff interior including an earmuff optoelectric transducer providing electrical output upon receipt of light input from the earplug driver light, whereby acoustic input at the earplug acoustoelectric transducer results in electrical output from the earmuff optoelectric transducer. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An audio system comprising:
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a. an earplug adapted for mounting on or within an ear, the earplug including;
(1) an earplug optoelectric transducer providing electrical output upon receipt of light input; and
(2) an earplug driver light coupled to the earplug optoelectric transducer;
b. an earmuff with an earmuff interior sized for fitting over an ear which bears the earplug, the earmuff interior including an earmuff powering light situated therein;
wherein the earplug optoelectric transducer powers the earplug driver light upon receipt of light from the earmuff powering light. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification