ARTICLE OF MANUFACTURE INTEGRATED WITH MUSIC AND TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICES

• US 20080267440A1
• Filed: 06/12/2008
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Skullcandy, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Skullcandy, Inc.
• Inventors: Alden, Richard P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,014,824 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/385
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3805 with built-in auxiliary receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/05 specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6058 involving the use of a headset accessory device connected to the portable telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface

Abstract

An article of manufacture, such as a jacket or backpack, integrates the services of an audio delivery device, such as an MP3 player, with the services of a two-way communication device, such as a mobile phone, or a two-way radio such as a walkie talkie, citizen band radio, HAM radio, marine or aviation radio, and the like. The article integrates the reception and provision of input and output signals from both the audio devices within the article, thereby enabling a user to listen to music or to receive and place phone calls while engaged in activity. In one implementation, the article provides these functions by holding one or more devices for communicably connecting and switching the audio and communication devices, mixing signals received therefrom, and optionally enabling a user to reduce the volume or mute the signals as desired.

Claims

1. An integrated article of manufacture having one or more apparatus embedded therein for integrating a two-way communication device and an audio delivery device, comprising:

any of an article of clothing or a backpack configured to include;

a first interface for receiving a first audio signal from a substantially arbitrarily selectable audio delivery device;

a second interface for receiving a second audio signal from a substantially arbitrarily selectable two-way communication device;

a third interface for transmitting a third audio signal comprising at least one of the first and second audio signals; and

an acoustic device for converting the third audio signal to an acoustic wave having an audio range corresponding to a hearing range of a user.

2. The article as recited in claim 1, further comprising a first switch for selectively switching between the first and second audio signals to provide the third audio signal.

3. The article as recited in claim 1, further comprising a mixer for mixing the first and second audio signals to create the third audio signal.

4. The article as recited in claim 1, further comprising a microphone for transmitting a voice signal to the two-way communication device.

5. The article as recited in claim 1, further comprising a volume controller for selectively controlling the volume of at least one of the first and second audio signals.

6. The article as recited in claim 1, further comprising one or more transceivers for passing one or more audio signals from a coupling device and any one or more of the audio delivery device, the two-way communication device, and the acoustic device.

7. The article as recited in claim 1, further comprising a coupling device integrated therein, the coupling device containing at least one of a microphone, a switch, a mixer, and a volume controller.

8. The article as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the second audio signal is characterized by a threshold value;

the second audio signal is accorded priority relative to the first audio signal; and

the second audio signal interrupts the first audio signal upon reaching the threshold value.

9. An article of manufacture configured to receive a portable apparatus therein for integrating a two-way communication device and an audio delivery device, the article comprising:

an article having a primarily inside portion and a primarily outside portion, the inside portion including;

one or more receptacles configured to receive an audio delivery device and a two-way audio communication device; and

one or more wires embedded in the article of manufacture for communicating an audio signal from a first point to a second point.

10. The article as recited in claim 9, wherein the outside portion includes one or more surfaces for controlling at least one of audio device selection, volume control, and music selection.

11. The article as recited in claim 9, wherein the inside portion further includes one or more receptacles configured to receive a first transceiver and a second transceiver, the first and second transceivers being configured to communicate wireless audio signals.

12. The article as recited in claim 9, further comprising one or speakers inserted into any of the inside portion or the outside portion, the one or more speakers configured to produce an audible sound in response to an audible signal received from any one or more of the audio delivery device or the two-way audio communication device.

13. The article as recited in claim 9, wherein the article is one of a jacket, a backpack, or a belt pack.

14. A article of manufacture configured for portable personal use to facilitate integrated communication using a two-way communication device and an audio delivery device, the article comprising:

one of a jacket, a personal carrier, or a headgear including;

a first pocket having an audio delivery device inserted therein;

a second pocket having a two-way communication device inserted therein;

a third pocket for receiving an audio communication hub, the audio communication hub having an interface to communicate with the audio delivery device, and an interface to communicate with the two-way communication device; and

one or more channels formed in the article of manufacture for receiving at least one communication wire.

15. The article as recited in claim 14, further comprising one or more acoustic devices attached thereto, the one or more acoustic devices configured to produce an audible sound in response to an audio signal passed from the audio communication hub.

16. The article as recited in claim 14, wherein the audio communication hub is configured for wireless communication.