Sound and light emitting face apparel

• US 5,353,378 A
• Filed: 04/16/1993
• Issued: 10/04/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hilco Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hilco Incorporated
• Inventors: Cohen, Neil M., Hoffman, Donald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Knepper, David D.
• Application Number:
  US08/048,624
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 351/158, 351/41, 446/27, 362/103, 395/2.79, 395/2.85, 395/2.67, 395/2.81, 381/48, 381/51, 381/44
• US Class Current: 704/272
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 Electronic devices other than hearing aids

Abstract

A sound-emitting face apparel includes electronic storage, selection and retrieval of sound signals. The signals, such as music or speech sounds, are emitted outward from a central region of a wearer'"'"'s face. The music and speech sounds are prestored on integrated circuit semiconductor chips. Blinking lights may be activated in conjunction with the emission of music. The face apparel can be eyewear wherein the sound is emitted from a bridge region of the eyewear'"'"'s frame.

Claims

1. A sound-emitting apparel to be worn on the face of a user, the apparel comprising:

(a) means for storing and retrieving sound signals;

(b) actuation means for selecting an individual sound signal, the selected sound signal being retrieved from the means for storing and retrieving upon selection thereof; and

(c) speaker means disposed on the apparel so as to be located in a central region of the user'"'"'s face upon wearing the apparel, the speaker means emitting the selected sound signal outward from the face apparel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparel is eyewear having a frame, bridge region, lenses and temples, the bridge region being located in the central region of the user'"'"'s face.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the speaker means is located in the bridge region.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the means for storing and retrieving sound signals and the actuation means are attached to the frame.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for storing and retrieving sound signals comprises first chip means for storing and retrieving speech-synthesized sounds and second chip means for storing and retrieving music sounds.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising at least one light for blinking at a preselected rate during actuation of the music sounds.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first and second chip means are formed on a single chip.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sound signals include music and speech sounds, the means for storing and retrieving sound signals stores and retrieves the music and speech sounds.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the actuation means comprises a plurality of selection buttons for selecting the music and speech sound signals, the selection buttons being of one of three types, depression of the first type causing first music sounds to play for a preselected time period, depression of the second type causing speech sounds to play for a preselected time period, and depression of the third type causing second music sounds to play continuously, a subsequent depression of the third type causing the second music sounds to stop playing.

10. Sound-emitting eyewear comprising:

(a) an eyewear frame;

(b) two temples attached to either sides of the frame;

(c) a bridge region;

(d) means for storing and retrieving sound signals, the means for storing and retrieving being attached to the frame;

(e) actuation means attached to the frame for selecting an individual sound signal, the selected sound signal being retrieved from the means for storing and retrieving upon selection thereof; and

(f) speaker means attached to the bridge region for emitting the selected sound signal outward from the eyewear.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the means for storing and retrieving sound signals comprises first chip means for storing and retrieving speech-synthesized sounds and second chip means for storing and retrieving music sounds.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising at least one light for blinking at a preselected rate during actuation of the music sounds.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first and second chip means are formed on a single chip.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the sound signals include music and speech sounds, the means for storing and retrieving sound signals stores and retrieves the music and speech sounds.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the actuation means comprises a plurality of selection buttons for selecting the music and speech sound signals, the selection buttons being of one of three types, depression of the first type causing first music sounds to play for a preselected time period, depression of the second type causing speech sounds to play for a preselected time period, and depression of the third type causing second music sounds to play continuously, a subsequent depression of the third type causing the second music sounds to stop playing.

16. A sound-emitting apparel to be worn on the face of a user, the apparel comprising:

(a) means for storing and retrieving at least one sound signal;

(b) actuation means for selecting a sound signal and retrieving the sound signal from the means for storing and retrieving upon selection thereof; and

(c) speaker means disposed on the apparel so as to be located in a central region of the user'"'"'s face upon wearing the apparel, the speaker means emitting the sound signal outward from the face apparel.

17. Sound-emitting eyewear comprising:

(a) an eyewear frame;

(b) two temples attached to either sides of the frame;

(c) a bridge region;

(d) means for storing and retrieving at least one sound signal, the means for storing and retrieving being attached to the frame;

(e) actuation means attached to the frame for selecting a sound signal and retrieving the sound signal from the means for storing and retrieving upon selection thereof; and

(f) speaker means attached to the bridge region for emitting the sound signal outward from the eyewear.