Stereophonic magnetic induction sound system

• US 6,208,740 B1
• Filed: 07/08/1997
• Issued: 03/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Karl Grever
• Original Assignee: Karl Grever
• Inventors: Grever, Karl
• Primary Examiner(s): CHIN, VIVIAN C
• Application Number:
  US08/889,745
• Time in Patent Office: 1,358 Days
• Field of Search: 381/79, 381/80, 381/81, 381/328, 381/23.1, 381/74, 381/14, 455/41, 455/100, 455/129, 455/95, 455/97
• US Class Current: 381/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/00 Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/0335 Earpiece support, e.g. headbands or neckrests for monophonic headphones H04R1/105

Abstract

A stereophonic magnetic induction sound system is disclosed which has an audio source, two ear pieces, each having an inductive pick-up coil, and a magnetic induction transmitter connected to the audio source and capable of transmitting different signals to the pick-up coils in the two ear pieces. The transmitter may have two or more antennas, a first conductor for transmitting one signal to one of the antennas, a second conductor for transmitting a different signal to the other antenna, and grounds connected to each antenna. The antennas are comprised of a core with a wires coiled about the core and are shaped and positioned on a user'"'"'s neck to, at least partially, selectively transmit their respect signals toward a particular, near-by pick-up coil. A connector or stereophonic jack is used to connect the transmitter to an audio source, and a supporting member secures the antennas around a user'"'"'s neck and restricts movement of the antennas relative to the neck.

Claims

1. A stereophonic magnetic induction sound system, comprising:

a first ear piece having a first inductive pick-up coil,

a second ear piece having a second inductive pick-up coil, and

a magnetic induction transmitter capable of transmitting a first signal to said first inductive pick-up coil and a second signal to said second inductive pick-up coil, said first signal being different from said second signal, said magnetic induction transmitter comprising;

a supporting member comprising a flexible loop sized to fit about a neck of a user and having a frontal depending Y-junction,

a first magnetic induction antenna disposed on said supporting member sufficiently close to said first pick-up coil to transmit a first signal to be received by said first pick-up coil,

a second magnetic induction antenna disposed sufficiently close to said second pick-up coil to transmit a second signal to be received by said second pick-up coil,

a jack;

a first conductor extending between said jack and said first antenna for transmitting said first signal to said first antenna,

a second conductor extending between said jack and said second antenna for transmitting said second signal to said second antenna,

a first ground extending between said first antenna and said jack, and

a second ground extending between said second antenna and said jack.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said first conductor, said second conductor, said first ground and said second ground extend from said Y-junction to said jack, and wherein said jack comprises a stereophonic jack.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first magnetic induction antenna and the second magnetic induction antenna each respectively comprises a core and a wire, said wire being coiled around said core, each said core including at least one elongate member oriented on said supporting member to couple the first and second magnetic induction antennas respectively with the first and second inductive pick-up coils.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first magnetic induction antenna and the second magnetic induction antenna each respectively comprises a core and a wire, said wire being coiled about said core, said core comprising a first elongate member having a proximal end, a second elongate member having a proximal end, and a third elongate member having a proximal end, said proximal ends of said first, second and third elongate members being connected.

5. The system according to claim 1, and further including means for adjusting the size of the flexible loop and restricting movement of the first and second antennas relative to the neck of said user.

6. The transmitter according to claim 5, wherein said restricting means comprises a slidable fastener engaging the supporting member between the Y-junction and the first and second antennas.

7. The transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the supporting member comprises a tube enclosing portions of the first and second conductors and first and second grounds therein.