Headband audio system with acoustically transparent material

• US 5,680,465 A
• Filed: 04/05/1995
• Issued: 10/21/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vintell Applications NY LLC
• Original Assignee: Interval Research Corporation
• Inventors: Boyden, James H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Isen, Forester W.
• Application Number:
  US08/417,310
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 381/24, 381/25, 381/183, 381/187, 381/74
• US Class Current: 381/309
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/023 Transducers incorporated in garment, rucksacks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/12 for distributing signals to two or more loudspeakers specially adapted for hearing aids H04R25/407
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/02 Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/023 in a chair, pillow
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/0335 Earpiece support, e.g. headbands or neckrests for monophonic headphones H04R1/105
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/04 Circuit arrangements, e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S

Abstract

A device with a speaker system and adapted to wear on the head of a wearer, such as a headband, is provided. Transducers are situated in a wearable device and positioned on opposite sides of the wearer'"'"'s head, adjacent the ears. In one embodiment, the transducers share a common enclosure and are driven 180° out of phase, so that back pressures cancel and low frequency response is enhanced. In another embodiment, two vented enclosures are provided, each with its own transducers. In other embodiments, acoustic concentrators can be incorporated to direct the audio more directly toward the wearer'"'"'s ears. The speaker system is connected to or in communication with a conventional source of audio signals, such as a radio, tape player, CD player, cellular telephone or the like.

Claims

1. A personal portable communication device for wearing on the head of a wearer, said device comprising:

first and second hollow structural members incorporated in said device and positioned to lie adjacent opposed portions of the wearer'"'"'s head when said device is worn;

a first and second transducer means mounted on said first and second structural members, respectively;

said first structural member having a first aperture in spaced relation to said first transducer means; and

said second structural member having a second aperture in spaced relation to said second transducer means;

driver means for driving said first and second transducer means; and

means for supplying audio signals to said first and second transducer means;

wherein each of said first and second structural members are filled with an acoustically transparent material other than air;

whereby when said device is worn on the wearer'"'"'s head with the first transducer means being positioned adjacent, but not blocking or covering one of the wearer'"'"'s ears, the second transducer means being positioned adjacent, but not blocking or covering the other of the wearer'"'"'s ears, and the first and second apertures each being positioned at a distance from the wearer'"'"'s, the system provides a low frequency response which approximates that provided by conventional headphones and earphones that cover the wearer'"'"'s ears and significantly block external sounds to the ears.

2. The personal portable communication device of claim 1 wherein said first and second transducers means each comprise at least one transducer device.

3. The personal portable communication device of claim 1 wherein said first and second transducer means each comprise at least two transducer devices.

4. The personal portable communication device of claim 1 wherein each of said first and second structural members is made from a flexible, pliable material and can be formed to conform to a portion of the wearer'"'"'s head.

5. The personal portable communication device of claim 1 wherein said means for supplying audio signals is selected from the group comprising a CD player, radio, digital audio tape player, digital cassette carrier, mini-disc player, telephone, television and cassette tape player.

6. The personal portable communication device of claim 1 wherein said acoustically transparent material comprises at least in part a high frequency damping material.

7. The personal portable communication device of claim 1 wherein said first and second structural members are sized to fit together around substantially all of the head of the wearer.

8. The personal portable communication device of claim 1 wherein said first and second structural members are incorporated in a headband.

9. The personal portable communication device of claim 1 wherein said first and second structural members are incorporated into a wearable accessory selected from the group comprising a hat, a cap, a helmet, a scarf and a headband.

10. The personal portable communication device of claim 9 wherein said first and second structural members are each covered at least in part by an absorbent material.

11. The personal portable communication device of claim 9 further comprising a pair of acoustic concentrators, one of said concentrators positioned adjacent each of the ears of the wearer.

12. The personal portable communication device of claim 1 further comprising fastening means to secure said device in position for being worn on the head of a wearer.

13. A personal portable communication device for wearing on the head of a wearer, said device comprising:

first and second hollow structural members incorporated in said device and positioned to lie adjacent opposed portions of the wearer'"'"'s head when said device is worn;

a first and second transducer means mounted on said first and second structural members, respectively;

said first structural member having a first aperture in spaced relation to said first transducer means; and

said second structural member having a second aperture in spaced relation to said second transducer means;

driver means for driving said first and second transducer means; and

means for supplying audio signals to said first and second transducer means;

wherein each of said first and second structural members are filled with an open cell foam acoustically transparent material;

whereby when said device is worn on the wearer'"'"'s head with the first transducer means being positioned adjacent, but not blocking or covering one of the wearer'"'"'s ears, the second transducer means being positioned adjacent, but not blocking or covering the other of the wearer'"'"'s ears, and the first and second apertures each being positioned at a distance from the wearer'"'"'s, the system provides a low frequency response which approximates that provided by conventional headphones and earphones that cover the wearer'"'"'s ears and significantly block external sounds to the ears.

14. The personal portable communication device of claim 13 wherein said open cell foam comprises at least in part a high frequency damping material.