Headset incorporating an integral light

• US 20050226433A1
• Filed: 06/01/2005
• Published: 10/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John B. Mcclanahan
• Original Assignee: John B. Mcclanahan
• Inventors: McClanahan, John B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,318,654 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/71.600
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/30 Pivoted housings or frames
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/04 the elements being switches safety devices F21V25/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0052 Audio or video equipment, e.g. televisions, telephones, cameras or computers; Remote control devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1041 Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements switches in general H01H
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1083 Reduction of ambient noise active noise reduction per se G10K11/175; protective devices for the ear, e.g. providing acoustic protection A61F11/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/107 Monophonic and stereophonic headphones with microphone for two-way hands free communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/033 Headphones for stereophonic communication details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A headset with a light incorporated within is disclosed. A representative embodiment of the invention may be construed as an aviation-style headset that includes a first earcup and a second earcup each comprising active noise reduction (ANR) circuitry, a headband interconnecting the first earcup and the second earcup, and a boom microphone coupled to one of the first and second earcups. The headset also includes a rotating housing coupled to at least one of the earcups. A first light-emitting diode (LED) is mounted in the rotating housing. The rotating housing is rotated to point light from the LED in a desired direction. The headset also includes a switch mounted to one of the earcups for controlling the LED. The ANR circuitry is electrically coupled to at least the first LED to deliver power to the LED. Other systems and devices are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An aviation-style headset, the aviation style headset comprising:

a first earcup and a second earcup each comprising active noise reduction (ANR) circuitry;

a headband interconnecting the first earcup and the second earcup;

a boom microphone coupled to the first earcup;

a rotating housing coupled to the second earcup;

at least a first LED mounted in the rotating housing, the rotating housing being rotatable to direct light from at least the first LED to a desired direction;

a multiple-function electrical control device mounted to the first earcup;

the ANR circuitry being electrically coupled to the first LED to provide power to the first LED; and

wherein the multiple-function electrical control device is configured to control the LED and volume.

2. The aviation-style headset of claim 1, wherein the multiple-function electrical control device comprises a rotary switch configured to control the LED and a potentiometer configured to control the volume.

3. The aviation-style headset of claim 1, wherein the multiple-function electrical control device comprises a push-pull switch configured to control the LED and a potentiometer configured to control the volume.

4. The aviation-style headset of claim 1, wherein the multiple-function electrical control device comprises a push-on-push-off switch configured to control the LED and a potentiometer configured to control the volume.

5. The aviation-style headset of claim 1, wherein the multiple-function electrical control device comprises:

a switching means for controlling the LED; and

a first potentiometer means for controlling the volume.

6. The headset of claim 5, wherein the multiple-function electrical control device comprises a second potentiometer means for controlling LED brightness.

7. A headset system, comprising:

a first earcup and a second earcup each comprising active noise reduction (ANR) circuitry;

a headband interconnecting the first earcup and the second earcup;

a rotating housing coupled to the first earcup;

at least a first LED mounted in the rotating housing, the rotating housing being rotatable to direct light from at least the first LED to a desired direction;

the ANR circuitry being electrically coupled to at least the first LED to provide power to the at least first LED; and

wherein the rotating housing does not extend beyond the periphery of the first earcup.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a boom microphone coupled to at least one of the earcups.

9. The system of claim 7, further comprising a multiple-function electrical control device.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the multiple-function electrical control device comprises a switch configured to control the at least first LED.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the multiple-function electrical control device comprises a first potentiometer configured to control volume.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the multiple-function electrical control device comprises a switch to control volume.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the multiple-function electrical control device is remotely located relative to the first and second earcups.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the multiple-function electrical control device is mounted to the first earcup.

15. An aviation-style headset, the headset comprising:

a first earcup and a second earcup;

a headband interconnecting the first earcup and the second earcup;

a boom microphone coupled to one of the earcups;

a rotating housing coupled to at least one of the earcups;

at least a first LED mounted in the rotating housing, the rotating housing being rotatable to direct light from at least the first LED to a desired direction;

wherein the first and second earcups each comprise a maximum forward point and a maximum rearward point; and

wherein the rotating housing is laterally positioned to rearward of the maximum forward point and forward of the maximum rearward point.

16. The headset of claim 15, wherein the multiple-function electrical control device comprises:

a switch configured to control the LED; and

a potentiometer configured to control the volume.

17. The headset of claim 16, wherein the switch comprises a rotary switch.